Season 6, Episode 6: Blood of my Blood: Recap and Review

So wait... did nobody die?

*rewinds for a rewatch*

Recap

Meera drags Bran through the snow, exhausting herself. Bran is still having his visions, flashes that make sense to us because we've seen some of the events or know the history—the deaths of his mother, father, and brother, his fall—events surrounding his grandfather and uncle Brandon's death—Hard Home and what Jon faced. Wights are chasing them and Meera has run out her strength. She wakes Bran up. He says, “they found us” and in fact they have. Wights are coming at them. A horseman arrives with fire weapons and kills the wights, then puts Bran in front of him and helps Meera up behind.

Gilly is amazed how green Horn Hill is. Sam nervously rambles about trees. He reminds us how awful his father is, but shares that they will take Gilly and Little Sam in. Sam has failed to inform his family she is a wildling because his father is prejudiced. They arrive and it's enormous and elegant. His mother and sister greet them—they are sweet and happy. Sam barely recognizes his sister. Lady Tarly tells Gilly she is lovely. Little Sam is enchanted with his grandma. (Grandmas are special that way) Sam's father and brother have gone on a hunt.

Tommen lights a candle in the sept and discusses Margaery with the High Sparrow. He lets him in to talk to Margaery. Margaery seems to have been drinking the Seven-Ade. She has that wide-eyed “believer thing" going like she has found peace. She confesses to Tommen how she has opened her eyes to what she was—how she did good to be seen doing good.

She looks so pretty!

Gilly comes down in Talla's gown with her hair done and looks really pretty! Dinner is awkward, Sam's dad as big an ass as you'd expect of a guy who threatened to have his own son killed if he didn't take the black. First it is hunting, then calling Sam fat. He criticizes the idea of being a maester. Gilly says Sam can wield a sword, but in telling them of Sam killing a white walker she confesses she is from north of the wall. Lord Tarly is all kinds of rude about wildlings. He points out Heart's Bane, the Tarly Valyrian steel sword. He calls Gilly a wildling whore. Lady Tarly takes Gilly and Talla and tells Lord Tarly he dishonors them all. Lord Tarly says he will take in Gilly and the baby but this is the last night Sam will spend at Horn Hill. Gilly is upset over Sam's treatment. She tells Sam he is not what his father thinks he is and Sam says good-bye. Then he comes back in and says they are leaving—he is taking Gilly and the baby... and Heart's Bane.

We are back to the play and Lady Crane makes a brilliant final scene mourning the dead Joffrey. Arya is the only one in the audience laughing as Joffrey dies. She then spots the Sansa actress off sides mouthing Cersei's lines and you can see Arya's task weighing on her. She goes back stage and after a pause, poisons the rum. Lady Crane catches her on the way out and they discuss theater. Arya compliments her and then leaves. Lady Crane has a Joey moment (you never criticize the writers if you don't want them to write you out) and then Arya knocks the glass from her hand as she is about to drink, warning Lady Crane about the girl who wants her dead. The waif has overheard. Arya fetches Needle. The waif tattles to Jaqen as he peels a face. The waif says “you promised me,” to which Jaqen says, “don't let her suffer.” Arya sits with Needle and blows out a candle.

Mace leads his army through King's Landing and Jaime joins him at the front of the troops. The High Sparrow stands with Margaery in front of the masses. He describes her sins and then Jaime and the Tyrell army ride through the crowd. Jaime says if the High Sparrow gives them Queen Margaery and Ser Loras they will be on their way. The High Sparrow says he doesn't have the authority to give them. Jaime says every Sparrow will die before Margaery walks down that street. The High Sparrow says they yearn for it, but there is no call for it today, as Queen Margaery has already atoned—by bringing another to the Light of the Seven. Tommen comes out. The Lannisters and Tyrells have been defeated, as the King and Queen have made a holy alliance with the faith. The people cheer as Jaime looks on in dismay.

Tommen strips Ser Jaime of his title as Lord Commander of the King's Guard. Jaime argues but Tommen stands firm. Jaime asks if he is to be paraded naked or put in the sept dungeons (as the Tart crosses her fingers for a naked Jaime scene) and Tommen says he will continue to serve the crown and his house, but not from King's Landing.

Lord Frey badgers his sons for losing River Run to the Blackfish. He orders them to take the castle back, then brings out Edmure, who looks to have been not treated kindly. Jamie is being sent to deal with the Blackfish, but Jaime says he's not going—that he is going to get Bronn and assassinate the High Sparrow, but Cersei urges caution. She says to lead the army. Her trial will be by combat and she has the Mountain.

Meera and Bran's savior drains blood from a rabbit and answers questions. It turns out he is Benjen Stark. He explains how he (sort of?) survived—the children found him and stopped the walker magic. He tells Bran Bran is the 3-eyed raven now. That he must learn to control it before the Night King comes and he gives Bran the blood to drink.

Dany leads her enormous Khalassar, discussing with Daario how they get to Westeros with them all. She senses something and rides ahead. She returns on Drogon and gives an inspirational speech asking their dedication. She chooses all of them as her blood riders. 


Review 

Bran and Meera's saving went about as I guessed it would, though if anybody has seen a nice screen by screen analysis of Bran's vision, please share the link. [added: I can always count on Bar de Porto at Bar Tube. She has done this fabulous analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnf1f4w23Ic] Interesting that we are going to have Benjen acting as a sort of mentor to help him master his visions. Did you all notice that was blood Benjen gave Bran to drink? Drinking blood is a book connection, though in the books it is a bit darker--suggestion is it is Jojen's blood.

Sam's family also went about as expected—I really loved his mom. His father though... man... what an ass. Of course readers know that. I am hoping he heads to the Riverlands, as he does in the book. There is an interaction between him and Brienne that is painful, as he is awful to her, but would make an excellent scene. I'm curious what Sam is going to do with Gilly and Little Sam in Old Town—as a man of the Night's Watch he can't have much money at his disposal. But I am glad he left with Heart's Bane. I wonder if he will keep it, or send it north to Jon.

Margaery's conversion seemed too fast for me the first time through—by a lot--it was jarring. But the second time I spotted the “previous episode” with Loras and him saying “let them win”--and I am wondering if she didn't see the wisdom in that... that by converting, the danger would lessen (at least in the short run). What I am left wondering is if this is Margaery truly committing, or Margaery doing what she has to to save them--playing the necessary game.

So Arya can't bring herself to kill Lady Crane. I love the irony of this whole thing—that Arya saves Cersei from Sansa... But I am glad Arya has her moral grounding and am very excited, as this has to mean to stay safe she needs to flee for Westeros.

The confrontation between the armies and the Sparrows was terribly anti-climactic, but I think the aftermath will be better. It sets up tension between the King and Queen and their families. Less messy than the chaos after a war, but just as interesting or more so. So I am trusting the momentary disappointment is payment for the promise of good stuff going forward.

Jaime getting dismissed was totally unexpected. I am not a fan of the Jaime/Cersei book departure—I like the book redemption arc for Jaime and Jaime at this point is completely disillusioned with Cersei. Tyrion gave him a parting gift of telling him about Cersei's infidelity (in the books it was more than just Lancel) and Jaime keeps running suspicions through his head. But I do like that he is headed to the Riverlands to join his book plot. I hope that his thoughts will be NOT killing Tullys. He swore to Lady Catelyn to take up no arms against her family (again—books) and I hope he lives up to that—diplomacy over violence. Funny that in this episode, it is Cersei urging caution... telling Jaime to do what he is told...

Oh, man... in case I'd forgotten how much I hate Walder Frey... what an ass. Unfortunately an ass with an ace up his sleeve. He has Edmure Tully, the rightful heir to Riverrun. So chances of him getting his way are better than I care for.

 And I liked Dany's moment to show her Khalassar how boss she is. She made them ALL her bloodriders and definitely inspired their loyalty, so cool... now who do we know with some boats? 


And that's a confirmation. Bran's vision had Mad King Aerys' death and some wights died, but no real time deaths of living people... I guess this is only the second episode with no deaths in the series... It wasn't the TOP episode in my opinion, but there was nothing that bothered me much and I do feel like it was a good set up for the second half of the season, so I was happy with it.

Season 6, Episode 5: The Door; Recap and Review

Recap   

Sansa is sewing and receives a mockingjay-sealed letter—Littlefinger is in Mole’s Town with news of the Vale army at Moat Cailin. Sansa is NOT happy with him to say the least. She grills him about whether he knew what Ramsay was and digs in deep as to what was done to her.  She says he is either an idiot or her enemy. She doesn’t believe him anymore and threatens to have Brienne cut him down. He offers her anything in his power, but she rejects him. As a parting gift he tells her her great Uncle Brynden the Blackfish has retaken River Run.  

Starring Ms. Phryne Fisher as Lady Crane as Cersei...

Arya gets beat up a bit more then Jaqen gives her a history lesson on Faceless men and then a job. She goes to the theater to watch the production of The Bloody Hand—a version of the events at King’s Landing that Arya lived through. The version of Ned is hard for her to watch—stupid and power hungry both. And then there is the Sansa abuse reminder. Arya learns what she needs to, though—Lady Crane is the only one who drinks the rum. Though she questions the need to kill the woman.

Bran sees the children gathering and we get our first big WTF… they stab what appears to be dragon glass into a man and he becomes the first white walker. Leaf explains the war with men and the need for protection.
 

The King’s Moot is happening on the Iron Islands and Yara steps forward.They’ve never had a queen.  Someone suggests Theon but Theon supports Yara’s claim. And then Euron steps forward. He insults Theon, then Yara accuses him of killing Balon. He admits it and tells them why—Balon was incompetent--he's sorry he didn't kill him sooner. Theon makes another round of arguments and says Yara will build a huge fleet. Euron agrees, but then says he plans to sail it for Daenerys and her dragons. He says he wasn’t born to be king—he paid the iron price. The people seem to agree so they drown him. For a bit. Yara and Theon and their men flee with Euron’s fleet. Euron announces his intention to murder his niece and nephew and orders the men to get started on his thousand ships.

Dany confronts Jorah and is not sure what to do with him. He shows her his grey scale and says he must leave. She asks if there is a cure and is clearly torn apart over it. He admits he loves her which makes Daario uncomfortable. Jorah says good-bye but she orders him not to walk away, then commands him to find a cure. She tells him when she takes the seven kingdoms, she needs him by her side.

Since the pact with the masters, violence has subsided. Tyrion says they need a PR company to announce their queen was responsible for the peace. He brings in Kinvara, High Priestess of the Red Temple. He asks for her help. She came willingly—says Daenerys was the one promised. She says the dragons will purify non-believers. Tyrion tries to tamp down the zealotry a bit, but she goes on about why they need her. Varys steps forward with Stannis’s story and the Red Priestess who was sure he was the one. He questions her. Tyrion keeps trying to bring it back to their mutual support of Dany, but the Red Priestess steps forward with reminders to Varys of his experience, which she seems to know all about. He is visibly shaken.

Bloodraven is sleeping and Bran is restless, so he decides to take a trip on his own. He appears in a field with thousands of wights, walks through them unnoticed until he reaches the 4 horsemen, and is grabbed by the Night’s King. Bloodraven knows he has been touched and tells him he must go. Being touched destroyed the protection of the tree. Bloodraven says it is time for Bran to become him.

Team Stark discuss who will come to their aid. Sansa and Davos debate—Sansa pointing out northern loyalty, Davos pointing out human nature of self-preservation. Jon points out all the small houses and suggests starting small. Sansa also suggests River Run and tells them of the Blackfish taking it back, though she lies about how she knew. Sansa sends Brienne to Riverrun to ask for the help. Brienne worries about the people Sansa will be with. When Sansa says Jon will keep her safe Brienne asks why she lied to him. The party to recruit help heads out… And Edd has the command.  

Hold the door

Meera is excited to head south. She talks to Hodor about going, discussing food. But she can see Bran has been out too long. She runs outside and sees they are surrounded—wights and white walkers both. The Night King makes a threatening mini-avalanche and Leaf says to get Bran and run. Bran and Bloodraven are back at Winterfell when Ned was small, and the children battle the wights. The white walkers come right through the flames, but the wights have to go around. They swarm the tree as Meera gets Bran into the sledge. The wights start to break in, so Meera begs Bran to wake up—they need Hodor and Hodor is frozen, panicking. Bran hears her pleas through time and wargs Hodor, but somehow it wargs BOTH Hodors. Meera kills a white walker, summer jumps into the wights to defend them and dies with a screech. The Night’s King finds Bloodraven and in the past, he vanishes, presumably killed at the other end. Meera and Hodor run. Leaf produces a fireball and takes a bunch of the wights out as they swarm her. They reach a door, which they finally get through with difficulty. They close it to seal it up and Meera begs Hodor to hold the door—again and again… Hodor in the past hears it and has a sort of seizure in which he keeps shouting “Hold the Door, Holde door, Holdedor, Hodor”.  


Review   

Go Sansa!  So glad she was tough with Littlefinger. Though I did want her to accept that Vale Army… I hope Littlefinger helps her anyway—decides to prove himself.  Not that I trust him, but it's always nice to have unexpected backup.

Poor Arya… Revisionist History is a bitch. And she was so heartbroken watching it. Hard to be no one when faced with that. I like Arya questioning the morality of killing someone who doesn’t necessarily deserve it here, too. Especially when the play could have really spiked her temper. The misrepresentation would make someone like, say... Cersei... murderous. (in fact I saw a review suggesting it may have been Cersei who paid the Faceless men for the hit, even though it is much more sympathetic to Cersei and Joffrey than reality)

Holy CRAP—that white walker creation, but BOY HOWDY. I’ve seen some speculation about the Children and whether they are good or bad, but I like this shade of grey much better—they were desperate and so did something to save themselves that later badly backfired. And they've been trying to make up for it since... helping build the wall anallat...

I’m not typically a Greyjoy fan, but I really liked Theon supporting Yara and loved the fast one they pulled on Euron, taking off with his ships… exactly what reavers ought to do if you ask me. And since Euron is CRAZY...

Lots of feels with the Jorah/Dany conversation. I like them finally being honest with each other.

Anybody else getting a feeling of dread about the worshippers of R’hollor and Dany? Dragons burning non-believers? Erm… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, eh? Though zealotry being what it is, it probably will.

Bran’s frozen scene, unmoving undead, is a little weird, but I suppose it is meant to be. Nobody sees him until the Night's King does. And it’s terrifying to realize being touched has destroyed the protection of the magic that has formerly kept them out. They created their own destruction. (heavy, eh?) My personal prediction is this means when Bran passes through the wall, THAT magic will be broken, too, and the wights and white walkers will be able to pass.

The Stark strategy meeting was good—I like the team work. I am truly curious though, about Sansa’s lie. Is she protecting Littlefinger? Keeping an ace up her sleeve? And off Team Stark go… YEAH for promising plans! I like how they all contributed. And Brienne is headed back toward her book plot in the Riverlands, so that is good. Also love that Edd is effectively in charge at the wall.

The escape scene in which first Summer, then Leaf, then finally Hodor sacrifice themselves so  Bran can get away is heartbreaking—especially when we realize this moment has always been why Hodor could say nothing but Hodor. And this time loop always had to happen.

This episode had some spectacular parts. I think the difficulty with that is they sort of overwhelmed some quieter parts. Like I think the Stark strategizing was actually really good, but it was so quiet compared to having just seen how the Children created White Walkers. Same with the King's Moot. It made the pacing a bit uneven. I don't have any complaints quality wise except that sort of uneven feel.

Tin Foil Thoughts 

What if all this was set up by the children so the White Walkers CAN get through the wall... If Bloodraven and the Children had this plot to end men.

Also, what if now that Bran understands how this works, he is really ALL the Brans... Brans through history... Bran the Builder, Bran the Breaker, there are all these Brans who did all these things... what if they are all Bran?

Season 6, Episode 4: Book of the Stranger: Recap and Review

Recap

Edd questions Jon about leaving and then the horn blows. The gates open to Sansa, Brienne and Pod. Jon comes out and sees her and the two of them send me into sobbing fits. Starks reuinited. Round one. And smiles!!! Both of them. They decide to go together, Sansa urging him to take back Winterfell, but Jon is tired of fighting. Sansa insists she will do it alone if necessary.

Davos asks Melisandre her plans. She says Jon is the Prince who was promised. They are interrupted by Brienne who tells them Stannis admitted to the blood magic that killed Renly before she executed him. That was a mood killer.

Robin Arryn still sucks at archery, but is happy to see Petyr who gives him a falcon and guides him (via suspicion and forgiveness of Lord Royce) to committing Vale troops to helping Sansa.

Tyrion negotiates with the slavers from the other slave cities. He tells them they can have seven years to phase out slavery and make a new system, but in exchange for time they need to stop funding Sons of the Harpy. Grey Worm and Missendei are not happy about it, but when confronted by slaves they back him up. They give a piece of their minds to Tyrion afterward though.

Jorah and Daario make their plans to go into Vaes Dothrak. Daario brags about “riding the dragon”—Jorah manages not to hit him. Daario sees Jorah’s grey scale as they remove their weapons for the descent into Vaes Dothrak. They are spotted in the city and have to kill two Dothraki—one with Daario’s forbidden blade, though he covers it by smashing his head in with a rock.

Dany talks to the Dosh Khaleen. She agrees that their role guiding the Dothraki gives them more than many have. She is respectful. She spots a young Khaleesi though, she feels bad for. The young woman is asked to guide Dany when she goes to make water—they seem to bond. Daario and Jorah grab her, but Dany says she has a plan.

Margaery is brought to the High Sparrow where he tells her a story about the trappings of wealth and his own realization about how it blocked him from truth. She wants to see her family but he tries to point out the sin of how they live. He then lets her go see Loras who is a MESS. He is broken. Margaery however, proves with Loras that she is not—she sees what they are doing and tries to encourage him to stay strong. It looks like she may have to be strong for both of them.

Cersei interrupts Pycelle’s prattling to Tommen. She kicks him out. Tommen advises caution about antagonizing the High Sparrow. Cersei says it is irrelevant whether she likes Margaery—queens must demand respect, kings more so. Tommen shares a secret the High Sparrow told him. Unfortunately it cuts out so we don’t learn it.

Cersei and Jaime crash the small council meeting and convince them of a plan to seize power back from the Sparrows. Kevan has been ordered NOT to take action with his army, but he has not been ordered to stop the Tyrell army.

Theon arrives home. Asha/Yara is pissy about it—when she tried to rescue him, he got some of her men killed and she thinks he has come back now to try to take the throne. He says she should rule and he will help her.

Osha comes to Ramsay and plays wildling, offering her “services”. She isn’t scared, and clearly she plans to do what she did with the guard when she helped Bran and Rickon escape. Unfortunately Ramsay knows how that played out and this time, as she reaches for a knife, he stabs her in the neck instead.

A messenger of the Boltons arrives with a scroll for the Bastard Lord Snow. (Tormund ogles Brienne). The scroll is brought in and Jon begins to read it out loud. Ramsay tells them he has Rickon and that he wants his wife back. He threatens to skin all the wildlings, have all his men rape Sansa, feed Rickon to his dogs, then he will scoop out Jon’s eyes. They piece together that Ramsay killed Roose. They discuss how many men they have. Sansa encourages Jon to ask the northern lords.

The khals discuss the dead men and then Dany is brought it. The women leave her behind for the Khals to decide her fate. The wise masters have offered 10,000 horses for her. She asks if they want to know what she thinks. She tells them they are khals of small things and none of them is fit to lead the Dothraki, but she is. Then she burns them ALL…  She steps out of the burning building, naked and the only survivor. All the Dothraki bow before her.


Thoughts

I sobbed through the entire Jon/Sansa reunion. It was truly wonderful to see them back together again. And only on the rewatch spotting Tormund lusting after Brienne that I realized how much I ALSO love that.  It may not be apparent from my online activity, but I am 5’11” and we tall girls who don’t have model’s figures don’t get nearly our share of lust, so I admit I enjoyed this…  But back to Jon and Sansa—I am so glad she apologized to him for being the petty brat she was.

Bit of friction with Brienne telling Davos and Mel she killed Stannis… wonder how that will go if they are all heading south together…

The scene where Robin Arryn decides Lord Royce’s fate was a sharp reminder of the danger of boy lords… Glad there was no moon door scene here…  I was going to say Petyr was a better advisor for Robin than Joffrey had, but I think Petyr WAS the advisor Joffrey had… his goals just have him aligned to not be quite so horrible here.

Missendei’s reality check to Tyrion that his days as a slave were not enough for him to quite get it was fabulous. She has a point. But so does he—you can’t do it all—need to pick the battles one at a time and right now the Harpies are the nearest threat, so that has to be resolved first. I am a bit skeptical that Dany will allow this negotiation to stand… when she comes back she will be in a much stronger position.

I felt bad for Jorah, ribbed by Daario, grey scale spotted, then nearly killed by a Dothraki—Daario had to save him.

Oh Loras… so sad. He really is broken. But also, it’s so clear how much of a matriarchy House Tyrell is. The women hold up the whole thing.

I am suspicious of Cersei’s plan. I think Tommen may be right about the danger to Margaery and Loras but Cersei thinks they are worth the price.

The scene with Yara and Theon went the way it had to go. I would have liked her to be more welcoming, but she wouldn’t have been a Greyjoy if she had.

Loved Osha: “do you eat them after? Then I’ve seen worse.” But then NOOOOOOOOOO! As sad as this made me though, I think this sort of had to go this way.

This Pink Letter!!!! And I love how fierce Sansa is in convincing Jon both to take Winterfell back and to ask the northern lords for help.

Loved Dany saving herself, too. I had been expecting a dragon, but it was great for her to take it on herself. It is a departure from the books where she is not fire proof, but I like the agency she gains doing it this way. The books will cleverly set up something fabulous, but this totally worked for me.

I think this was a great episode. The only piece I didn't like was Osha dying and I can see why that had to be done. Rickon there is alone is more compelling, though I did rather want Osha to play the Ghost at Winterfell for a while. I'd rank this right up there...8.5 probably.

Season 6, Episode 3: Recap and Review

Recap

Davos watches as Jon breathes, then sits. Sadly he covers him… Jon remembers being stabbed, but there was nothing in between. Melisandre says he was brought back for a reason. She suggests he needs to be the Prince who was Promised. Davos gives him some practical advice. Doesn’t matter why he’s back. He just needs to keep going.

The men gather to see him come out. He has a moment with Tormund and Edd. Edd double checks it is still Jon.

~

Sam is sea sick. Tells Gilly he is taking her to his family. They’ve finally allowed baby Sam to not be a newborn anymore, though he still is aging slowly. It was also sweet that Gilly referred to Sam as baby Sam’s father.

~

Ser Gerold Hightower sharpens his sword. Ned and his men ride up and Bran begins to narrate. The dialogue goes a bit differently than the book, but gets across more clearly that they were commanded to be HERE (at the Tower of Joy). Ned asks where his sister is and the King’s Guard don their helmets. Fancy fighting ensues. There is a tense moment where Ned faces Arthur Dayne in single combat. Bran is stunned how much better Ser Arthur is because he knows his father wins, but it turns out Howland Reed saved him with a (dishonorable) knife through the back of the neck. Screaming is heard from the tower.

[Ned hears Bran] *cue spooky music*

~

Dany is marched into Vaes Dothrak and the House of the Dosh Khaleen. She’s stripped and given different clothes. We’re reminded this is where she ate the stallion heart. She is scolded for not coming right after her Khal died and told they ALL thought they would ride with a great Khal who took over the world. There seems to be some doubt whether Dany deserves to be there (as a wise crone who guides the Khals) since she didn’t come right away.

~

Varys meets with the whore who was killing Unsullied. He offers her a deal… for information, he will send her and her son to safety with silver. Or she can stay and her son may… come to harm… though he doesn’t actually make the threat—just implies it. I wonder where the ship came from, since all of them burned in episode one…

~

Tyrion tries to start a conversation with Grey Worm and Missendei. Varys comes in with news of who is funding the Harpy (all the cities Dany conquered).  Grey Worm and Missendei urge conquering—it is all they (the masters) understand.

~

Qyburn talks to the children formerly known as “little birds”. Turns out Varys was paying them in sweets. Qyburn happens to have candied plums and offers regular sweets for whispers. Ser Gregor comes in (they aren’t even trying to pretend he’s someone else) with Cersei and Jaime. The children run off and Jaime suggests Ser Gregor march into the sept and smash the High Sparrow, but the faith militant are too many. Cersei mentions her trial by combat, then asks Qyburn to make sure he has little birds everywhere else, too.

~

Pycelle complains about Qyburn in the Small Council Meeting. Cersei, Jaime and Ser Gregor enter. Cersei and the Queen of Thorns engage in some banter about imprisoned queens.  Ser Keven challenges their presence. Jaime notes he is Lord Commander of the King’s Guard who has traditionally sat on the Small Council. Pycelle hems and haws. Cersei sits and brings up Myrcella’s death and Jaime adds the same women have overthrown the Martells and taken over Dorne. Kevan walks out and the others follow, leaving Cersei, Jaime and their guard.

~

Tommen goes to talk to the High Sparrow, who talks of Mother’s Love (Happy Mother’s Day!). Cersei must stand trial for the other things she is accused of before she can attend Myrcella’s grave. The HS then talks about Kings listening to wise counsel and it rings true for Tommen, as it echoes what Tywin said. (it looks a bit like he is getting through to Tommen)

~

Arya’s training montage… NICE!  The game of lies, the fighting, the testing of other senses, the progress… And then she gets her eyes back!!!

~

The Smalljon stands before Ramsay and the Karstark. He is frustrated that wildlings have been let through the wall. They need help but will not swear loyalty. He just wants an ally and has a gift. He brings in Osha and Rickon, and to prove he’s Rickon, they toss Shaggy Dog’s head on a table.

~

Edd comes for Jon. Time to hang the traitors who stabbed him. He asked for last words. Cotter Pyke says he shouldn’t be alive. Othell Yarwick asks that his family be told he died fighting wildlings. Alliser Thorn says he’d do the same thing again and Ollie gives a petulant look. Jon looks torn but cuts the rope that knocks their feet out from under them. He then gives his cloak to Edd and says Castle Black is his. Jon’s watch is ended.

Book Notes

Tormund-HAR! Book Tormund talks about his pecker a lot, so that nod of his about Jon’s being small was too funny.

I really wish they’d done the full dialogue at the Tower of Joy so I am just going to share it here…

“I looked for you on the Trident,” Ned said to them.

“We were not there,” Ser Gerold answered.

“Woe to the Usurper if we had been,” said Ser Oswell.

“When King's Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered where you were.”

“Far away,” Ser Gerold said, “or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells.”

“I came down on Storm's End to lift the siege,” Ned told them, and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them.”

“Our knees do not bend easily,” said Ser Arthur Dayne.

“Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him.”

“Ser Willem is a good man and true,” said Ser Oswell.

“But not of the Kingsguard,” Ser Gerold pointed out. “The Kingsguard does not flee.”

“Then or now,” said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm.

“We swore a vow,” explained old Ser Gerold.

Ned’s wraiths moved up beside him, with shadow swords in hand. They were seven against three.

“And now it begins,” said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass, alive with light.

“No,” Ned said with sadness in his voice. “Now it ends.”

Reactions

I like their minimal dialogue decision for Jon’s awakening.

No particular thoughts on Sam and Gilly, but I see the point of showing them in progress.

A little annoyed Arthur Dayne didn’t have Dawn—it is a legendary blade and how hard would it be to have included it? And the scene seemed more abbreviated than I’d hoped, and it followed what we literally know from the books, but I hope when we read it, it is a bit more subtle (I always hoped Howland Reed saved Ned with words rather than a sword (so Dayne allows himself to be sacrificed, as he knows the baby will be safe)

I liked the scene with Dany and the Dosh Khaleen well enough. And for once Dany manages to keep her mouth shut. These are smart women. Better to figure things out and find an intellectual solution… or wait for dragons. One or the other…

The Varys scene was fantastic. I like how he plays that… carrot, stick. And how he understands torture may get answers, but not the true answers. Expert manipulation on his part. Though the scene afterward with Tyrion, Missendei and Grey Worm was a little annoying. Like they were trying to hard when they wrote Tyrion’s dialog.

Loved Varys’s Little birds and the lead in to Qyburn with Varys’s former little birds. Qyburn is smart—he will figure this out. And the division between Cersei and the small council… that is book stuff, though book Cersei is smart enough not to lay her cards all on the table. I suspect though, this is the easier way to get to that story.

I really think Arya’s training sequence was nicely done. Not a ton to say about it, but it got across a ton of stuff elegantly.

Shaggy Dog—NOOOOOO! Bad enough to turn Rickon over to Ramsay, but I literally shouted at the TV when they threw down the direwolf head. So sad.

So I figured Ser Alliser had to die, but part of me really wanted to see a reveal that Jon was a Targaryen first. Ser Alliser was sent to the wall by Robert because of his support for the Targaryens. I am also surprised they killed all of them (but not all of them)--I would have thought just the leader or all 8 or 9. Very glad to see Jon walk away (will Davos go with him?)

Overall I was not quite as impressed with this episode. It was good, but not great. The Tower of Joy was great but ended far too soon. The Arya sequence is the only one I really found satisfying. I think though, the Jon stuff and the Bolton stuff is set up to be really exciting soon.

Season 6, Episode 2: Home: Recap and Review

Bran and Bloodraven watch Young Ned, Lyanna and Benjen

Recap

Bran and Bloodraven go to a Winterfell of the past in a vision and Bran watches Ned spar with Benjen. Lyanna rides through on a horse and Bran tells Bloodraven his father never spoke of her, then Hodor is there—speaking (and making us wonder what happened that took his words). Back under the tree Bran asks Hodor what happened. Of course the answer is Hodor. He then has Hodor take him out to Meera who looks depressed... she is done sitting there doing nothing. When Bran goes back in, Leaf tells Meera Bran will need him. He isn't going to stay at the wall forever.

Alliser tells Davos it is time and then the Watchmen begin to go at the door with axes. When they are almost in, louder pounding comes from elsewhere. They stop to stare as Wun Wun breaks through the gate at Castle Black and the wildlings poor in. Alliser calls Edd a traitor, but Edd says it is killing the Lord Commander that is being a traitor. Most of the Night's Watch who've been at the Castle throw down their arms and the killers are captured.

A braggart tells the story of Cersei walking past naked on her walk of shame and exaggerates to make it as insulting to Cersei as possible, then makes it out like she was interested in him. Later he is taking a piss in an alley and FrankenMountain breaks his head against the wall.

Cersei tries to go see Myrcella's body but the king has ordered she stay in the Red Keep. When Jaime asks why Tommen admits “he said she wouldn't be permitted in the sept” (meaning by the sparrows). Tommen and Jaime talk over Myrcella's body and Tommen admits he is ashamed to have not done anything to protect his wife and mother. In comes the high sparrow. Jaime sends Tommen to talk to his mother already. Jaime and the High Sparrow have words, Jaime threatening the man who seems unafraid to die, though he has dozens of sparrows there, so if Jaime kills him, it is clear Jaime will also die. Tommen comes to see Cersei. She is standoffish, until Tommen apologizes and admits he was scared of losing her. When Tommen admits he should have executed them all to save her and he wants her to help him be strong she finally melts some and hugs him.

So much awesome...

Tyrion and team Dany discuss Meereen and dragons. The masters have retaken the cities besides Meereen. The dragons aren't eating. Tyrion says dragons don't do well in captivity. He asks Missendei if the dragons ever hurt her. He then explains dragon intelligence and the fact they recognize their friends. Tyrion and Varys go into the catacombs and Tyrion talks to the dragons. They seem to understand at least that he means to help them. He undoes their chains.

The waif attacks Arya and Arya ineffectually tries to fight back. At one point the waif has left and Arya is spinning circles, frantically hitting with her stick. Jaqen grabs it and asks who she is. He offers first shelter, then food, then her eyes, if Arya will say her name. Arya says each time “a girl has no name”. She has passed the test and Jaqen tells her to follow him. A girl is no longer a beggar. 

Roose chastises Ramsay over the dead men who had been going after Sansa and Theon. Ramsay suggests sending forces to kill Jon Snow. Ramay lists their allies, the Karstarks, the Umbers and the Manderlys... or are they? (discussion below) Roose threatens Ramsay—telling him if he acts as a mad dog he will be treated as a mad dog. The Maester comes in and announces Lady Walda has delivered a boy. Ramsay hugs his da and then stabs him, then asks the Maester to send ravens to the northern houses that Roose was poisoned by enemies. He says to bring Lady Walda and the baby. He meets them, holds his little brother. She asks after Lord Bolton and Ramsay leads her to the kennels where he subdues the dogs, opens the pens, and then tells Walda HE is Lord Bolton. She begs to just be let to go south with her baby. They will cause no trouble. He whistles for the dogs to attack.

Brienne tells Sansa she saw Arya and she looked fine. Brienne asks what happened at Winterfell but all Sansa will say is she should have gone with Brienne when she met her before. Sansa and Theon discuss going north. Theon is sure Jon will kill him, but Sansa says she won't let him and when a man takes the black his crimes are forgiven. Theon says he doesn't want to be forgiven. That he would have taken her all the way there, but now she has Brienne he means to go home.

A bad place for a family reunion

Balon and Yara argue, Balon being his typical ass self. He claims in the war of five kings he is the only one left (how does he know Stannis is dead?) Balon argues war and attacking and Yara argues protecting their people. He leaves and on the bridge between towers encounters his brother Euron who makes a lot of statements about being the storm which I will explain a bit below. As the bridge blows, Balon grasps the ropes and Euron looks perfectly at home. Euron then throws Balon off the bridge into the rocky ocean below. As Balon's body is found and sent to sea, Yara promises vengeance. She argues with Aeron Damphair about who will rule. There will be a King's Moot.

Davos knocks and comes for Melisandre, asking about whether she can bring Jon back. They have a touching conversation about faith where Davos says fuck the gods. He wants help from the woman who showed him miracles exist. She cleans Jon's body of blood, snips hair and throws it in the flames, and begins to chant magic words. Nothing happens. Tormund leaves and the others follow. Ghost stirs and Jon takes a gasping breath.

Further Analysis 

Quotes I love

Bloodraven: “It is beautiful beneath the sea, but if you stay too long you will drown.”
Bran: “I wasn't drowning, I was home.” 

Edd: “The only traitors here are the ones who shoved their knives into their Lord Commander's heart.” 

The Storm: The Iron Islanders have a dichotomous god... as with many religions (God/Satan, R'hollor/the other) In the Iron Islands it is the Drowned God, who most worship, and The Storm. So for Euron coming in like this, he is basically saying I am Satan. And yes, he really believes he is a god.

Ohmygawd—Maisie's face acting when Jaqen says she can have her eyes back... the struggle and decision—so clear. Seriously—that is some major talent.

I believe we can trust that the Karstarks are true allies of the Boltons. Robb Stark cut off their Lord's head, after all. But if the Umbers and Manderlys are allies, I think it must have to do with hostages that guarantee their cooperation. I can't see any reason they would have left team Stark otherwise. I believe both lost people at the Red Wedding, so the opposite should actually be true. Home as a

Theme: Bran gets to see home, Arya brought back to the only home she has had since Winterfell, Theon heads home, Euron comes home


Review 

This season keeps moving things along at a good pace. The big beats this week were Roose's death, Dragons free, Balon's death and Jon's awakening... say... if death pays for life... you think? In the books Balon has been long-dead, but I think the show can work with this. One king down, one up... But even though those were the big beats, all the storylines had real progress.

Sansa and Theon part ways, Arya passes the test and so is brought back into the House to further her training, the dragons are unchained setting in motion a ton of possibility (and it seems they may be loyal to Tyrion for this service).

I loved Bran's vision and the connection to the backstory of the show. I wonder if we are going to learn what happens to Hodor. But we see in the previews we WILL learn what happens to Lyanna. And how satisfying was it to have Wun Wun break through that gate!? WUN WUN!!! Loved that! And I was glad most of the Night's Watch dropped their weapons and there was not a massacre. They will need those guys for their army.

The scene with Tommen asking Cersei to help him may prove as disastrous as Cersei arming the Faith militant. She may be his mother, but I am pretty sure Cersei's only mission right now is revenge, and she is not known for her strategic planning. Instead she is just going to lash out dangerously, perhaps insanely... And now she has looped Tommen into her madness, or so it seems. The good part of this is I think it may start the rift between Jaime and Cersei that the books have and that sets Jaime toward the Riverlands.

THE DRAGONS ARE FREE!!! I love that they didn't eat Tyrion. Seriously. There was a book plot with a character named Quentin (Tristane's older brother) that went very badly when he tried to free the dragons. So I'm glad that isn't where we went. I think Viseryon and Rhaegal have a debt of gratitude for Tyrion now, which should be fun to watch play out. Tyrion's bravery was impressive. I mean we've seen him be brave, but this is over and above.

Arya's beating was more of the same, but thankfully the last of its flavor. I like that they are moving this story along. She looks like she is now headed for some serious training—like what happened in episodes 1 and 2 was to let her know what it COULD be like, so how important it is for her to learn. She is on her way back to the House of Black and White though. YAY!!!

And HOLY COW... Ramsey hears his threats, learns he is a big brother, and then does in his father, followed by his stepmum and baby bro. Totally brutal, though I guess I figured it was coming. What is more interesting is what ELSE is now coming. Roose's alliance with the Lannisters died when he married Ramsay to Sansa. Now the Bolton alliance to the Freys is dead, since Ramsay killed Walda. Ramsay doesn't seem to be thinking very far ahead. He DOES however, seem to have his eyes on the Night's Watch and Jon Snow, who might threaten his position. Roose had said No... but Roose is no more... I like how all this was done and where it is headed. Ramsay by winning in the short run has set his own demise in motion, I think.

Loved Sansa's subtle smile hearing Arya wasn't dressed like a lady. “No, she wouldn't be.” I'm glad she now knows all her siblings, save Robb, may be alive. And her good-bye with Theon was extremely touching.

And finally Balon and Asha/Yara. She is thinking of their people, he is thinking of his own bloody legacy, or maybe he isn't thinking at all. I've been waiting for this death a while. In the books it is less direct (believed Euron paid a faceless man rather than doing it directly) and I have reason to believe that faceless man was Jaqen, but this streamlining makes sense. Whatever the case, Euron is poised to show up to challenge Yara in the King's Moot. Possibly Theon, too.

And finally JON! JON! I was a little surprised they didn't make it more complicated than this, but their decision to shorten the next two seasons and all Jon has to do means he does have a lot to do this season. So I am glad Jon is back. What did you think?