Game of Thrones - Season 6

My thoughts on the episode

Beyond the Wall:

- I enjoyed getting to see more flashbacks, even if they were disjointed a little bit. Especially the Mad King, who has only been mentioned thus far. I only wish they would of shown a brief glimpse into the Deaths of Ned's father and Brother at the hands of the Mad King and his champion, "fire." Truly one of the most twisted death sequences in the books. I'm not sure if there was a reason for the specific scenes that were shown (Dragon flying over King's Landing, Dany birthing her dragons, Jaime killing the Mad King, Jaime sitting on the Iron Throne afterwards, White Walkers converting children into baby white walkers, Hardhome battle, Wildfire poured into pots, and an underground wildfire explosion, children of the forest, Rob Stark's death, Ned Stark's death, Young Ned looking at the tower of Joy, etc...) or if that sequence was meant to demonstrate Bran was downloading massive amounts of information at once, and TPTB just wanted to show a cool sequence of past events.

- Benjen/Coldhands to the rescue... For the non book readers, Coldhands was a mysterious character who saved Bran and led him to the three eyed Raven in the books. Coldhands identity was always secretive, suffice it to say that Bran recognized him as dead/wight but with his own consciousness rather than a mindless puppet for the Nights King (who is now being called "Night King," which I like a lot less for some reason). We get confirmation that Coldhands is Bran's long lost Uncle, who disappeared earlier in the show/books behind the wall. Saved by the Children of the forest, he's now a servant of sorts to the Three Eyed Raven. Benjen mentions that Bran is now the Three Eyed Raven, as if it were a title of sorts, rather than an actual being. But TPTB state that being the Three Eyed Raven makes Bran not entirely human. Not sure what that means, but we'll see.

Kings Landing:

- I really like that GoT is getting back into politics. The element of political gamesmanship hasn't been a huge plot point since Tywin Lannister died. We've got three groups, Lannister, Tyrell, and Sparrows, all battling for position and making deals with one another, and apparently, not everyone is on the same page... Margery just made a bold move, IMO. I think she realized that she can't outright beat the Sparrow, and so she aligners herself with him, by manipulating Tommen. It's interesting to juxtapose her gamesmanship with say... Cersei. Both were scheduled to take a walk of atonement, and Margery was smart enough to avoid penalty, despite the fact that her entire ordeal was brought upon by Cersei's grand plan that totally backfired. Cersei sucks at the Game of Thrones, if nobody has noticed. And you either win or you die, according to her. Not good news, considering she has a trial by combat coming up soon.

- The whole sequence with Jaime leading the Tyrell Army to the Sept and riding up the stairs to confront the Sparrow and declare his authority, only to learn that he's been totally outplayed, was fantastic and one of the best in the entire series, IMO.

- I've totally flipped my opinion of the high Sparrow. We've had a number of great villainous characters on the show, but he is quickly becoming one of my favorites after this episode. He's playing the game and is now making big moves, rather than just preaching his fanaticism, which I now see in a whole new light. Prior to that final image of his smug smile, I thought he was a one note character. A self righteous religious fanatic and I was looking forward to his death. Now? I'm interested in see how he wields his new authority and how other players in the game counter. The High Sparrow is also a really nice change of pace from the Ramsey's and Littlefingers of the world.

- Jaime leaving is good news too. It was thought that the book storyline of Jaime going to Riverun to capture the Blackfish and retake the castle in the name of the Lannisters/King was changed in favor of the Dorne fiasco. It appears not. It was only a side quest to allow other stories to catch up, while still introducing Dorne. Jaime's storyline should get very juicy, real quick. And Jaime mentioned Bronn too, in his convo with Cersei... Hopefully that's foreshadowing Bronn's return!

- I wish Mareen's politics were as interesting as King's Landing's...

Essos:

- Dany's lone scene was another feel good speech with a dramatic ending, as she mounted Drogon. Cool. We already had a cool speech last episode from her though. I find of felt it was unnecessary, as she already had her new Calvary. And the 1000 ships that Daario predicts Dany needs? A little too convenient, given the previous episode with Euron proclaiming that the Iron Born will produce 1,000 ships to get Dany's attention. And I thought this was a poor closing scene for the episode. The closing scene should of been...

- I'm finally on board with Arya's storyline! Truth is, nothing that cool has come from her storyline with the faceless men. We don't really know too much more about the faceless men and Arya didn't train long enough to acquire any secret skills she can later use to her advantage, as a rouge member of the group. Her actually knowing how to change faces would of been nice... and useful.

- These last two episodes have been the best of the bunch for Arya. The play that Arya has watched has served for terrific meta commentary and was all really well done. The only thing I disliked was that the final scene of this episode wasn't Arya, with her back against the wall (literally and figuratively), on a street corner, alone with her only identifying accessory (Her Sword, "Needle"), blowing out the candle. That would of been a better closeout, as Arya's decision to reclaim her identity leaves her (and the viewer) in a state of uncertainty. I thought that sequence was more powerful than Dany riding a Dragon tbh.

Highgarden:

- Sam... I actually liked this whole story and sequence. I enjoyed meeting new characters, especially Randyl Tarly, Sam's father, and master war strategist and General for the Tyrell family. Meeting him was really the highlight. And I'm glad he found some balls and took his family sword, which is Valyrian. Given Sam's ties to the Watch and White Walkers, that might be important to have. Overall, I enjoyed everything else much more though.

Seems like GoT is really starting to hit it's stride. So far, Season 6 feels like a return to form after last season, which felt uneven. It wasn't unexpected given the way Martin turned 2 monster books into one (AFFC and ADWD), but I'm glad Thrones has gotten back on track and story lines are paying off. Great episode.

"MikeHoncho wrote:

Can't decide who I want dead more. Tommen or Ramsey?

I hate Ramsey and High Sparrow..... but Sparrow's character seems too integral ATM.
Ramsey seems like he was created with the sole purpose of riling up the audience.

1. Grand Maester Pycelle. even if it's just accidentally falling down a flight of stairs.
2. Ramsey
3. Ellaria Sand and her daughters.
4. one of Daenerys's closest friends/henchman....... just to see the hellfire it unleashes.

Damn...

Ugh... Arya... not dead yet, but for her to go out like this... seems like a waste of time in her character's journey.

Sandor Clegane though... :yes:

"Paul 13 wrote:

Ugh... Arya... not dead yet, but for her to go out like this... seems like a waste of time in her character's journey.

I doubt she's dead or even will die. If she were going to die, there would be no point in her being alive and wondering around bloody. I didn't really like anything about that scene tbh. Arya knows, from her conversation with Jaqen, that if she didn't kill the actress, she would be targeted for death. She finished the last episode hiding out in the shadows, with needle at the ready, and yet is walking around town openly, not doing anything to keep a low profile... Bad writing, IMO.

There is a theory floating around that I do believe is going to end up being accurate. I'll throw it behind spoiler tags, even though it's just an internet theory with no spoilers included.

The Waif is Arya's Tyler Durden. http://www.bustle.com/articles/164939-are-arya-the-waif-the-same-person-this-game-of-thrones-theory-is-so-crazy or https://www.romper.com/p/are-arya-the-waif-the-same-person-on-game-of-thrones-it-would-explain-a-lot-11886. Very interesting and I suspect this is going to end up being spot on).

"Paul 13 wrote:

Ugh... Arya... not dead yet, but for her to go out like this... seems like a waste of time in her character's journey.

Agreed. It always felt like she was going to be important in some way, not as important as Dany, John Snow, Tyrion, but on the next tier. Her salary confirmed that. So I don't see any way she dies this quickly.

"Clark Kent wrote:

I doubt she's dead or even will die. If she were going to die, there would be no point in her being alive and wondering around bloody. I didn't really like anything about that scene tbh. Arya knows, from her conversation with Jaqen, that if she didn't kill the actress, she would be targeted for death. She finished the last episode hiding out in the shadows, with needle at the ready, and yet is walking around town openly, not doing anything to keep a low profile... Bad writing, IMO.

There is a theory floating around that I do believe is going to end up being accurate. I'll throw it behind spoiler tags, even though it's just an internet theory with no spoilers included.

The Waif is Arya's Tyler Durden. http://www.bustle.com/articles/164939-are-arya-the-waif-the-same-person-this-game-of-thrones-theory-is-so-crazy or https://www.romper.com/p/are-arya-the-waif-the-same-person-on-game-of-thrones-it-would-explain-a-lot-11886. Very interesting and I suspect this is going to end up being spot on).

appreciate the spoiler tag, and I had to click...

I guess that might explain the bad writing. The writing does contradict the end of the prior episode. She's got needle ready to go. Now she's ready to buy her way out, back to Westeroos. But then is out walking around, enjoying the sights? The Tyler Durden angle would solve all of that. Not just a coincidence that they brought Klegane back during this episode either. You wouldn't think that they would somehow link up again, but maybe.

I was glad to see The Hound back. I really liked his character. What will he do now? I do not believe Arya will die (yet). I think she's too important to the show and where it wants to go.

"Paul 13 wrote:

appreciate the spoiler tag, and I had to click...

I guess that might explain the bad writing. The writing does contradict the end of the prior episode. She's got needle ready to go. Now she's ready to buy her way out, back to Westeroos. But then is out walking around, enjoying the sights? The Tyler Durden angle would solve all of that. Not just a coincidence that they brought Klegane back during this episode either. You wouldn't think that they would somehow link up again, but maybe.

I'm on the bandwagon of the theory that it was an act, assisted by the actress to stage Arya's death and throw off the Waif.

"MikeHoncho wrote:

I'm on the bandwagon of the theory that it was an act, assisted by the actress to stage Arya's death and throw off the Waif.

But wasn't the Waif the one that stabbed her?

"Clark Kent wrote:

I doubt she's dead or even will die. If she were going to die, there would be no point in her being alive and wondering around bloody. I didn't really like anything about that scene tbh. Arya knows, from her conversation with Jaqen, that if she didn't kill the actress, she would be targeted for death. She finished the last episode hiding out in the shadows, with needle at the ready, and yet is walking around town openly, not doing anything to keep a low profile... Bad writing, IMO.

There is a theory floating around that I do believe is going to end up being accurate. I'll throw it behind spoiler tags, even though it's just an internet theory with no spoilers included.

The Waif is Arya's Tyler Durden. http://www.bustle.com/articles/164939-are-arya-the-waif-the-same-person-this-game-of-thrones-theory-is-so-crazy or https://www.romper.com/p/are-arya-the-waif-the-same-person-on-game-of-thrones-it-would-explain-a-lot-11886. Very interesting and I suspect this is going to end up being spot on).

Agreed, bad writing or maybe one of these theories presented. That scene really reminded me of this past season of the Walking Dead when:

Darryl was easily ambushed by the saviors after being lured to a decoy campfire at dusk. Darryl should have been way too smart to fall for that or believe that people trying to hide would be stupid enough to start a fire at night. Likewise it's hard to believe Arya thought she could just wander around Braavos in broad daylight and be fine after defying the house of black and white. I hate lazy writing.

I don't believe in that theory. I'm gonna say she was expecting that attack and had her stomach protected and that's not her blood. Would have been a huge waste of time to have her killed in that storyline. Only 6 days to find out

No way is Arya dead or dying.

I like the theory that her injury is some kind of elaborate theater trick. She won't ever be safe if the Faceless Men think she is alive, so she has some kind of protection and very publicly wanders the streets bleeding out

Also, she may have read the Waif perfectly, knowing that she would want Arya to suffer despite Jaquen's instructions.

"schmolioot wrote:

No way is Arya dead or dying.

I like the theory that her injury is some kind of elaborate theater trick. She won't ever be safe if the Faceless Men think she is alive, so she has some kind of protection and very publicly wanders the streets bleeding out

Also, she may have read the Waif perfectly, knowing that she would want Arya to suffer despite Jaquen's instructions.

It is a pretty good theory. She also knows the Waif thinks so little of her to not be surprised to find her wandering the streets in broad daylight.

Man, I was totally looking forward to Ian McShane....... only to find out it's a 1 episode cameo. :pity:

Nobody dies in this fn show

"Paul 13 wrote:

But wasn't the Waif the one that stabbed her?

Exactly

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

"ToddPhin wrote:

Man, I was totally looking forward to Ian McShane....... only to find out it's a 1 episode cameo. :pity:

Criminal waste of a guy meant to be on that show.

Next week's preview showed Arya on the escape from someone, jumping and what not, so I very much doubt she will die. That Tyler Durden theory is interesting though. We still don't know anything about the waif.

http://imgur.com/a/p2mfe

Sansa's letter decoded for anyone interested...

Also, I've got a question about the Wildlings... How is it possible that they only have 2,000 fighting men? At one point, didn't Mance say they had 100k? Of those 100k, not all were warriors. Fair enough. But now, we're down to 5,000 total, with 2,000 warriors. I know they lost men and women during the Wall siege, and Hardhome. But the numbers aren't adding up at all. 95k are gone?

"Clark Kent wrote:

http://imgur.com/a/p2mfe

Sansa's letter decoded for anyone interested...

Also, I've got a question about the Wildlings... How is it possible that they only have 2,000 fighting men? At one point, didn't Mance say they had 100k? Of those 100k, not all were warriors. Fair enough. But now, we're down to 5,000 total, with 2,000 warriors. I know they lost men and women during the Wall siege, and Hardhome. But the numbers aren't adding up at all. 95k are gone?

Looks like they are now wights.

Would have needed quite a few more boats to get those numbers south.

Wasn't sure whether to post this here or in the Game Of Thrones thread... guess I'll do both.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8bjvoHOSFs

"Clark Kent wrote:

http://imgur.com/a/p2mfe

Sansa's letter decoded for anyone interested...

Also, I've got a question about the Wildlings... How is it possible that they only have 2,000 fighting men? At one point, didn't Mance say they had 100k? Of those 100k, not all were warriors. Fair enough. But now, we're down to 5,000 total, with 2,000 warriors. I know they lost men and women during the Wall siege, and Hardhome. But the numbers aren't adding up at all. 95k are gone?

So great that someone decoded her letter... although, not surprised to find out its contents.

Another Theory about GoT. This one has to do with Bran and his potential legacy.

Since "The Door," there has been a lot of speculation as to what Bran can and can not do in regards to "Time Travel." For non-book readers, one of the best parts of the series ASOIAF is the layered and awesome history that GRRM has created. His world building is truly amazing, IMO. One of the histories noted throughout the series, is that of Bran the Builder. He's a legendary member of the Stark family, known for having built the Wall and Winterfell... The new theory goes like this...

Once we know that Bran can travel back in time and influence the future, it opens a whole world of possibility. Take this theory, from an anonymous message board user:
You know it’s true. Bran will go back in time to build the Wall, and when people will ask the guy’s name, he’ll just say “Bran.” Thus, Bran the Builder, who will be the inspiration for his name when he’s born in the present time. He’ll be the one who’ll establish, in the past, that there must always be Starks at Winterfell, because he must ensure that he comes to exist in the present.
For those not up on your ancient Westerosi history, Bran the Builder) lived 8,000 years before the present moment, one of the invading First Men and the founder of House Stark. He built Winterfell, and the Wall and possibly Storm’s end.

Interesting... After reading that, I remembered another "Brandon Stark." The possible Night's King. The Night's King was formerly the 13th Lord Commander of the Nights Watch. He eventually married a women, who's features resemble a White Walker. He and his bride declared themselves King and Queen, and ruled the Nightfort (one of the Castles belonging to the Night's Watch). During this time, all sorts of horrible things were said to occur, such as sacrifices made to the White Walkers. After the Lord of Winterfell defeated him, his name was erased from history. Although, old Nan (Bran's nanny, seen in season 1), claims the original Night's King was a Stark... Named "Brandon."

These theories don't have a lot of evidence going for them, but since we don't know the nature of Bran's time travel ability, anything's possible...