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Family reunions, Tormienne, and Dany rising from the ashes, what more could you want from a Game of Thrones episode?
As Quaithe’s prophecy from A Song of Ice and Fire goes: “To go forward you must go back.”
In Watchers’ own reviews, Sue (Sullied) relishes the rare heartwarming Game of Thrones moment when the Starks reunited. Oz (Unsullied) laments for Lysa as her murderer returns and discusses that big Fire and Blood moment.
Since this episode contained moments from the book series and the past, some authors are noted as Sullied or Unsullied. Be sure to still exercise caution when reading some reviews for book spoilers.
Myles McNutt, A.V. Club (Sullied) – Confident for more family reunions, McNutt comments on Jon and Sansa’s changed positions, Missandei and Tyrion’s slavery exchange, and the other differences between “knowing” and “understanding” illustrated through our characters.
Alyssa Rosenberg, The Washington Post (Sullied) – Rosenberg discusses the theme of forgiveness in “Book of the Stranger” through Jon and Sansa, Brienne and Melisandre, Cersei and the High Sparrow, and Yara and Theon.
Sean T. Collins, Rolling Stone – Collins notes the many working character repetitions of Ramsay, Daenerys, Tyrion, Cersei, and Baelish made for a progressive episode with the Jon/Sansa reunion as an added unexpected delight.
Rob Bricken, io9 – Declaring last night the one we’ve all been waiting for, Bricken delights in the Stark reunion. He credits the shining moment of the episode to Kit Harington and Sophie Turner whose exceptional performances further illuminated the highly anticipated moment.
James Hibberd, Entertainment Weekly – Hibberd observes the trends of ice and fire playing throughout the season with the Stark reunion and Daenerys’ Dothraki conquer.
Sarah Hughes, The Guardian (Sullied) – Hughes reviews the many character reunions this episode and the confrontations they promise.
Neil Miller, Film School Reject (Sullied) – Miller reflects on the grotesque Pink Letter, the Lannisters, and Daenerys’ rebirth.
Eliana Dockterman, Time – New to the rounds this week, Dockterman revels in the powerful victories for the women of Game of Thrones.
David Crow, Den of Geek – Crow found “Book of the Stranger” the best episode yet of Season 6 as it not only built anticipation for the “wars to come” but also rejoices “every subplot sang with the clarity of two swords meeting in the middle.”
Laura Hudson, Wired – Also new to the rounds this week, Hudson wins the best headline award with “Oh, It’s Lit.” She brilliantly illustrates Daenerys as the physically embodiment of Dracarys.
Alan Sepinwall, Hitfix – Sepinwall applauds “Book of the Stranger” for playing with fire while remaining unburnt.
Brandon Norwalk, A.V. Club (Unsullied) – Norwalk celebrates Sansa, Yara, Margaery, Olenna, Cersei, and of course Daenerys, in a profound episode for the women of Game of Thrones.
Jen Chaney, Vulture – Chaney expresses Daenerys’ fiery strength that proved herself to be no damsel in distress.
Stephanie Merry, The Washington Post – Merry cheers for the women of Game of Thrones who are taking back the world of Westeros after their harsh treatments.
Sonia Saraiya, Salon – Disappointed with the final moment of “Book of the Stranger,” Saraiya still found the intense set-up of the episode satisfying.
Laura Stone, Hey, Don’t Judge Me (Unsullied) – Stone thoroughly loved the powerful Stark moments this episode and hilariously comments on the return of Robin Arryn.
Stay tuned for Bex’s video recap round-up later this week featuring the best Game of Thrones video reviews!
It seems most critics enjoyed “Book of the Stranger” with some exceptions. What are your thoughts? Let us know below!
HODORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hodor! !
I have followed this site for a very long time, and this is my very first post to this, or any other GOT site, so advance apologies if I err or offend in some way!
It occurs to me when Melisandre asks Jon, “what did you see,” and he responds, “nothing, there was nothing at all,” it would not be possible for a soul who is totally extinguished to have awareness at all. If there were nothing at all, he’d have replied, “I remember Olly stabbing me in the heart, and then gasping for breath here on the table. There was nothing else.”
In other words, if Jon experienced ‘nothing,’ after his physical death, it means his spirit/soul did go on past death. Nothing is something because it means he had consciousness, which survived the death of his body, but not the extinction of his awareness/consciousness. This is the energy or force that a soul retains after physical death.
That is to say, if one believes the body to be the vehicle which moves the body through its existence on the physical plane, this would be an accurate interpretation of seeing “nothing.” Just my thoughts.
Gael Macleod,
I’m completely offended by this comment!!
Just kidding, Welcome to the Watch
Gael Macleod,
He didn’t say he was conscious in a void. I think it’s a bit of an overreach to take “there was nothing” to mean I was aware of a void all substance. It wasn’t a long philosophical discussion.
Gael Macleod,
When I read your comment all I could think about was that scene with Arya in S4. She says to a dying man “Nothing isn’t better or worse than anything. Nothing is just nothing.” Doesn’t necessarily relate but I always loved that scene.
Welcome to WotW. Fairly new around these parts too but welcome nonetheless! 🙂
Wyllis!
Rosenberg should quit watching the show. Even with her “positive” reviews, she is awful negative.
These are the best reviews a Game of Thrones episode has gotten since Hardhome. It averages a stellar 9.1/10 on Rotten Tomatoes right now. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06/e04/
Really well deserved for what is probably one of my top 10 Thrones episodes! I don’t understand, however, how so many critics could be a little down on Home (which has a 7.8/10) but love this so much. Both are very comparable and similar in quality in my opinion.
What ever happened to Dany’s blood riders? Was it ever explained or did they just vanish?
Welcome and nice to see your comments!! Don’t worry if you didn’t offend anyone in this post you will surely have ample time to offend someone in another one.. lol …. JK.. but don’t worry so much about offending anyone. If we are all adults we can move on and forgive/forget!! Hope to see you post again!!
Understandable, considering what most of the reviews above are praising : ‘ A profound episode for women’. Critics tend to like things like that so that can write in length about powerful women blah blah. That’s more to their taste than dragons and white walkers.
Ghost,
If you’re talking about her three original bloodriders, Dany sent them out to scout the Red Waste in Season 2. Rakharo was killed by a rival khalasar reportedly led by either Khal Jhaqo or Khal Pono. His head was sent back to her along with his horse as a warning in “The Night Lands”. Aggo never returned and was never seen again, so unless he joined up with her again offscreen he’s probably dead as well. Kovarro – the one who led Dany to Qarth – was still alive at the end of Season 2, but hasn’t appeared on screen since. Presumably he’s still in her service, but has faded to the background.
Indeed, pretty much all that remains of Dany’s original khalasar hasn’t been seen or mentioned since the beginning of Season 3. That’s probably because since she won her army of Unsullied, they no longer represent a significant part of her forces.
As for the two Dothraki warriors who were escorting her – and making terrible comments about her – in Season 6, Ahko (Aggo according to the subtitles) was killed by Daario in this most recent episode. But Qhono wasn’t in the temple when it was burned, and bowed to her at the end along with the rest. With Moro dead, maybe he’ll take over as Dany’s top lieutenant/ko/bloodrider in the united Dothraki horde.
I’ve thought the same thing. But it really gets to be such a metaphysical discussion it’s easy to get bogged down. I think most storytelling forms – books, movies, even comics, would understandably be reluctant to get into the details of after death experiences (unless it’s a story specifically about that like Heaven Can Wait or Memnoch The Devil). Otherwise it could easily take over the narrative.
Ice Spider,
Thanks so much for the warm welcome!
Excellent point. Thanks for pointing it out! Just couldn’t help myself from being so, I don’t know what to call my commentary!
Excellent point. Thanks for pointing it out! Just couldn’t help myself from being so, I don’t know what to call my commentary!
I’m grateful I didn’t offend you, at least! An thanks for the welcome!
Gael Macleod,
No problem. Stick around. This place, like all message boards can always use additional articulate open minded posters.
YVW
Gael Macleod,
Long time comment reader here, who very rarely comments…nice insight and you gave me courage to share!
This was the best episode so far, in my view.
Besides the obvious highlights, I would like to give extra applause to the magnificent Mr Jonathan Pryce, to the young gentleman that plays Robyn Arryn (imo the best child actor they have had on GOT) and the hilarious crush that apparently Tormund has on Brienne. That was a great comic relief.
And, although I was sad to see Osha get murdered (I was hoping she could fool the little shit), I am so grateful to the scriptwriters for killing her so quick and painlessly. I mean, compared to what Ramsay is capable of.
Now if a kind gentleman or a fair lady explains to me why this letter is called the pink letter, I would be in debt!
Jared,
If you look closely, Dany still has her Dothraki in season 5. For example when she’s executing Mossador, they’re helping escort her up.
Anyone else miss Roose yet? Ramsay is so predictable that he now bores me. Roose was a much more interesting Villain. He deserved to die, but I just thought that the way it happened was fairly lame.
When Jon has his speech to Sansa how he`s tired of fighting he mentions killing NW, Wildlings, men he admired and aboy younger then Bran.
He does NOT mention the wight from S1 and the Other from season 5.
Does Sansa even know about the Others? It would be strange if he left that part out.
Even with Tyrion meeting the dragons, after the latest episode isn’t it more likely that Bran is the third dragon-rider? Don’t we really have three semi god-like characters? The mother (Dany), son (Jon) and holy spirit (Bran)? I feel like these episodes have created a slight separation between those three and the other main characters. They are touched by the supernatural. No offence meant to religious people.
And one is Ice, one is Fire and one possibly both
Some people were upset at flame retardant Dany but the show tends to underline its key points.
Wonderful artical by Laura Hudson.
Hello to everyone from one more Got fan!
Could anyone possibly tell me how many years have passed (in series of course) since Jon and Sansa saw each other for the last time before reunion? How old were they back then and how old are they now?
LordDavos,
I like that interpretation
Dee
I always used to lump Dany, Jon and Tyrion together but the show is shifting things.
Alienarea
That’s right whereas Tyrion doesn’t create the harmony.
Was the point of Brienne confronting Davos and Mel essentially ‘don’t try any of that (Stannis) crap with the Starks (Jon and Sansa).’? And ‘I’ll be onto you if you do.’
Late to the party as ever… But what an episode! I loved it, loved it, loved it! Best episode so far this season. So much feels, so much to get your teeth into, it feels like things are really moving now.
First, uppermost thoughts.
– strange seeing Jon Snow in anything but black. And the man-bun!!!
– OK, who ships Tormund and Brienne now? 😀
– LF is even worse than ever and Sweetrobin is still a little shit… but that’s OK because they’re going to help the Stark cause!
– nobody mentions the 2 dragons at large, for the second episode running! Did they just fly away or something?!?!
– love the Dothraki language
– badass Dany is back, complete with epic music!!!
– much trouble brewing here and there
More considered views coming soon. I’m just so excited, had to get the worst of the excitement off my chest right after watching the episode (twice).
There were several subtle and not-so-subtle cinematic things I liked.
It all begins with a closeup of Longclaw. The Old Bear’s sword, Lord Commander’s sword, Jon’s sword. Immediately taking us into the conflicts of vows and identities, before Edd even says a word.
Other closeups in the episode: the gyrfalcon while LF manipulates Sweetrobin and Lord Royce. The worm/bug in Marg’s dungeon. Zooming ever closer in on the High Sparrow as he tells his story. The knife on Ramsay’s table. Dany’s hand on the brazier.
Another cinematic device. People in light framed by a tunnel/some dark indoors. Davos and Mel on the CB walkway. Davos, Mel and Brienne in the CB courtyard. Cersei before she confronts Tommen and Pycelle. Even Marg when she’s taken to the High Sparrow has a shade of that.
I loved the “above” shot of the small council. First, it’s just Kevan and Olenna, waiting, two empty chairs (for Pycelle and Mace, presumably). Cersei and Jaime burst in, and the next “above” shot we get is Olenna and then Kevan sitting down, now with Cersei and Jaime in the frame, ready to take their places.
Theon on a ship approaching Pyke. Who doesn’t compare and contrast that to his appraching Pyke in season 2, all lordly and arrogant, and now…
Yara sitting at the Kraken fireplace like Balon. It was the exact image we had in season 2.
The not-so-subtle but still fun cinematic thing. Ramsay starts and ends the scene with semi or full closeups of him flaying an apple. OK, the focus on the knife on the table was a bit flashing neon lights… but it didn’t work for Osha. 🙁
Am I the only one who’s been on the lookout for shots of Grey Worm’s dagger? It was so prominent in the last episode, in a frame with Tyrion, that I looked. It’s still there, not as obviously as last episode, but still there.
Blink and you’ll miss it, but when Dany is led before the Khals, she takes a look at those nice braziers. From then on, you know what’s going to happen.
LordDavos,
Yes yes! Thatsounds so right! I just hope the Starks get more of the glory though!
@ WOTW staff: Might it be a good idea to celebrate Tyrion Lannister’s 50th (!) episode with some sort of Celebration post?
Sou, looking at some recent photos I am more like a Melisandre without the choker mode lady (well maybe not QUITE that bad) so I don’t think I can claim to be a ‘fair lady’. I don’t want to be too “spoilery” and there may be somebody who can explain it more articulately but going from memory book Roose wears pink clothes and the letter from Ramsay was sealed with pink wax (the letter plays out slightly differently in the book – it happens before Jon’s murder and resurrection [the latter hasn’t happened in the published books yet]).
I think he was talking about taking human life. Which is probably far more taxing on a soul. Wights and White Walkers are seen by Jon as monsters. I highly doubt he’s losing sleep over their death.
On a separate note, The men he admired… Surely Qhorin and Mance?
Castle Black – OK, the episode starts with a closeup of Longclaw. Jon’s leaving, attempts humour (I’ll go south and get warm) but Edd’s not taking any of that. He reminds Jon of Hardhome, what’s coming, his vows… But they’re saved by the bell. Or the horn.
Brienne, Pod and Sansa enter CB, and Tormund takes a looong look, and I don’t think that was at Pod or Sansa.
Then the feeeels. Jon sees Sansa. Wonderment. Walk. Pause. Hug. I welled up. Aah, a Stark reunion, at long last! Snif.
The siblings alone together. Childhood memories. Sansa apologises for being an arse, Jon laughingly brushes it off, he was sulking in the corner anyway. Sansa is almost playful, a sister to a brother. Then it gets serious. They should never have left WF. She wants WF back. Jon’s tired of fighting. He’s fought every day since leaving WF, he had to execute a boy younger than Rickon, he’s done.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in CB, Davos confronts Mel. She’ll now follow Jon Snow, the Prince that was Promised. Davos is sceptical, wasn’t Stannis supposed to be the one? I loved that scene, practical Davos doubting unsure/lost faith Mel nearly as much as she doubts herself. And just as Davos is asking Mel about what happened to Shireen, Brienne butts in. Stannis murdered Renly by blood magic. Ooooh, that Brienne-Mel glare! And she executed Stannis. Davos and Mel are both shocked at that. Shireen’s fate is forgotten for the moment, but these three are in for sooo much trouble. It’s delicious. (I hope Davos and Brienne emerge alive from it.)
Sou,
its called the “Pink letter” because in the books the wax that seals it (basically the bolton “stamp”) is pink..on the show they went for red wax, probably because it would show up better on screen
The Vale – well, Sweetrobin is still an inept little shit. Loved Bronze Yohn Royce’s deep sigh before he puts on an encouraging smile.
Littlefinger’s back! Uncle Petyr! Even more devious than before! Let’s give the boy lord a prezzie and hey presto! he’ll do whatever I want him to do.
I felt a bit sorry for Bronze Yohn Royce. He’s a man like Ned Stark. Loyal and honourable. Can never win against dishonourable people.
Sweetrobin’s really a real little shit. Moon Door for Bronze Yohn? OK, fine, not then. I’ll help my cousin Sansa – just as LF wanted – and call the Knights of the Vale.
OK, Sweetrobin’s a shit, LF is übershit, but if they’re going to help Sansa & co. against the Boltons, I’m fine with it. Expediency. I love how this show makes moral relativists of us all.
I’m just going to leave this here and see how people respond…
http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/05/can-being-in-a-band-make-ramsay-bolton-hot.html?mid=twitter_nymag
Personally, I’m having conflicting emotions before coffee. I hate Ramsay’s stupid face but when he croons love songs things get confusing! 😉
Meereen – why isn’t anybody mentioning the 2 dragons at large? For the second episode running! Did they just fly away?!?
Grey Worm and Missandei are NOT HAPPY with how Tyrion is handling things.
Tyrion is being a tad arrogant. “A wise man once said…” This is the second time he says that, and both times it refers to him. Is Tyrion a wise man?
We get a payoff when Missy quotes him to the freedmen. Missy and GW reluctantly back up Tyrion but they’re NOT HAPPY. Missy’s and GW’s mindset is so totally different from Tyrion’s. I loved Missandei’s burn: “How many days were you a slave?”
I see trouble ahead… (GW’s dagger wasn’t as prominent in the shots as it was in the previous episode, but it was there. Just saying.)
Anybody else notice how Tyrion brazenly presumed to speak for the Queen? Missy and GW didn’t like that.
There was some levity with Tyrion’s bad Valyrian (“… you wait for so fat a time…”) and his brilliant move to step down those throne room steps… but, nah. They’re in trouble with every faction in Meereen and amongst themselves.
Here is one interesting video (Attention, over one hour long, but I think we can handle content, right?) with two cinematographers of Got from this years Berlinale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2hvfI19aBA
They have also showed clips from Got, who are not included in the video, but from the descriptions you’ll identify the scenes very quickly.
And for all german-speaking people I can recommand the recpas of the SZ and they have a graphic of figure-constellation, who is upatded after every episode, for me they are the best you can find in german newspapers:
Here is the last one:http://www.sueddeutsche.de/medien/game-of-thrones-recap-neue-folge-game-of-thrones-nur-geschwister-duerfen-sich-alles-sagen-1.2989093
And the graphic:
http://www.sueddeutsche.de/medien/personen-atlas-zu-game-of-thrones-wer-betruegt-hier-eigentlich-wen-1.2477892
They have included the flirt between Tormund and Brienne!
I’m so glad that the TV series changed Bolton banner from pink to black with red flayed man and consequently the Bolton clothes. I cannot imagine how ridiculous would it look on screen.
Vaes Dothrak – Everybody’s favourite bro-duo gets there. Daario needles Jorah for being an old man. (Jorah needs to catch his breath for a while as they climb – is the greyscale affecting him?)
The most important point from this scene is, of course, that now Daario knows about Jorah’s greyscale. It’ll have to pay off in some way.
On a slightly less elevated level… When Jorah began to take off his sword belt, I thought he was unlacing his breeches to take a piss. Kinda ruined the drama of the scene.
Oh, and Jorah’s legendary shirt. Poor Jorah, he’s been wearing it since season 1. I’m told it’s been washed in between but this scene showed good sweat patches on a dirty, dusty rag.
talvikorppi,
You’re so cute! I love how you jot down all your thoughts on each story line for each episode every week 🙂
Sophie Turner in EW:
Well it looks like it Sansa who is calling the shots now.
And with this info im certain its Sansa who goes head to head with the 10y old Lyanna Mormont so like Liam said Davos will have to step in and sort things out with his dead are coming speech.
Vaes Dothrak – Dany is being taught, even mentored, by the old crone, and she isn’t too far off. As Dosh Khaleen, these women have some power and influence, as opposed to khaleesis of living khals or widows of lesser men. Good shots of those nice braziers, too.
Dany doesn’t give a shit and goes for a piss, escorted by the young widow (neon lights she might play a role later). Oh, and it’s Jorah and Daario! Whoopidoo!
Jorah and Daario want to try to sneak her out or die trying, but Dany has other plans… Aaand we’re taken off to King’s Landing!
I just don’t understand how or when Dany came up with her plan? Why is she so confident fire magic will work again? Why is she confident she won’t burn? But that’s for later.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Is Jon going to be with them?
talvikorppi,
Maybe she has touched fire before off screen and she didn’t burn, such as a candle in her room lol
talvikorppi,
Dee,
She entered a scolding bath, that burned the other women and she held the dragon eggs, while it burned Irri’s hands.
She is like this even before the dragons birth.
Now, could the ”power” have been made stronger by the dragons birth, possibly.
Like Jon said in the last episode if he isn´t with her Ned Starks ghost will come back and kill him.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Yeah, I can’t see them running around the North uniting other houses to their cause, to much.
Bear Island will probally be the ”big” moment in this plot.
King’s Landing – Marg is taken to the High Sparrow. Loved it how she was blinded by the light. A well-known torture technique.
Marg holds her own agaist the HS. Quotes the Book of the Stranger, verse 25. HS tells her his backstory, and you can see cogs turning in her head.
Marg and Loras. He’s given up, Marg tries to rally him, she hasn’t given up. She’s shocked at the state and unfight in Loras. She’ll never give up. She’ll do whatever it takes, she rejects the religion his brother might be embracing.
As a cinematographic thing. The camera zooms in closer and closer to the HS. He never looks at Marg, looks to the side, to the past… until he nails his eyes on Marg! So scary and effective!
El-Bobbie,
Oh, I remember that! So yeah, it’s just that what’s left of her original Dothraki have faded into the background to be played by extras in unobtrusive shots like that one, and we haven’t seen any of the named characters with speaking roles (to be fair, I believe that Kovarro was the only such character left by the end of Season 2).
King’s Landing – Cersei interrupts Pycelle counselling the king. I lol’d when Pycelle slowly shuffeled himself out, chain clinking and taking his sweet old man time. Just to annoy Cersei. haha! Small victories.
We get yet another masterclass of motherly manipulation. Poor Tommen tries to do his own thing but Cersei grabs his chin. “Look at me. What did they do to me, the King’s own mother!”
Poor Tommen articulates something he’s known for some time. “You don’t like Margaery, do you?” Cersei brushes it off, pretends it doesn’t matter… AND turns away from Tommen, walks away from him. Nice mum.
Gods, I loved that scene! Cersei is so gooood at manipulating poor Tommen. She only faltered for a heartbeat when she heard Tommen had been seeing the High Sparrow, a surprise to her. She showed a bit of her anger there, but almost immediately got it under control and made it work for her.
“I am your mother, you can always trust me.” And she places her hand on his chest, in a semi-aggressive gesture.
We viewers get the idea Tommen’s going to spill the beans about the High Sparrow and his plans because he draws breath to talk… before we’re cut away.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Weiss and Benioff proclaimed this season to be the season for female characters and I wouldn’t be surprised if Sansa ends up Queen in the North and Rickon is killed. Jon can’t be King as he is only bastard. He could still help her and I love it. Dynamic brother/sister yet duo. Certainly a different scenario to Daeny who is the leader.
Dee,
Sansa was with Littlfinger and Brienne in the promo. We know Brienne will be send on the mission. So not sure if she will be still with Davos and Jon. Sophie talked about friction between them and it might be because of Littlefinger, as neither of them will be able to trust him.
The opening shot of Longclaw which is ancestrial sword of House Mormont seems to me as a bit of foreshadowing for future episodes. Also Lyanna Mormont’s letter was another key to House Mormont. Jon might use Longclaw, his relationship with Jeor, White Walkers because he believe in this threat and the Boltons threat to convince them to fight.
Perhaps Davos will do negotiation but it would be weird for Jon to sit on his ass for next episodes, he has to convince them much like he did with wildlings with the help of Tormund. Kit talked about his biggest season yet and Sansa said that if he asks them ( Northern lords), they’ll fight for him.
Curious if we’ll see Jon interact with Lyanna Mormont as she is named after Lyanna Stark.
talvikorppi,
What makes you think the dragons are at large? The are still in locked the crypt, Tyrion just took their chains off. Daenerys would have his head cut off if he let them out and allowed them to make meals of the local goatherder children.
Ratings for Episode 4 : 7.82 Million (3.92) !!!
http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-15-2016.html
So guys anyone watched the making of episode 3 and 4 ..
Interesting parallel there episode 3 opens with rebirth im ice and 4 ends with a rebirth in fire ..
Ice and Fire. .
Both Jon and dany being naked as babies and reborn respectively
and then you Remember rants about how there are no themes in the show and use the quote of D&D to mock them
talvikorppi,
“Davos confronts Mel. She’ll now follow Jon Snow, the Prince that was Promised. Davos is sceptical, wasn’t Stannis supposed to be the one?”
Yeah that’s kind of weird. After all, wasn’t he the one thinking Jon’s so special that he went all nicey nice to the woman he doesn’t like or trust in order to have her try and get him back? I mean, even Davos is acting like it’s no big deal lol.
King’s Landing – I loved, loved, loved how the Small Council chamber was shot from above in the beginning and then at a key point. (Loved the way Olenna’s skirt spilled. An aesthetically pleasing picture.)
Now, as a book-reader, I’m a bit amazed that Cersei can be so astute and intelligent, and put personal grudges and grievances aside. It’s the right thing to do, and she convinces Kevan (the Lancel thing) and Olenna. And Jaime is her lapdog.
Show!Jaime’s and Show!Cersei’s plan is, of course, a good, smart one. Let’s stop bickering amongst ourselves, let’s take down the High Sparrow first. It is still personal to Cersei, but she can couch it as a wider cause.
We saw Lena Heady’s Cersei at her manipulative best. Gods she’s good!
Oh, and Jaime? Grow a pair! Leave Cersei, otherwise Tormund’s gonna take your girl! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! 😀
Tim of House Deddings,
The show is dying!!!!
You’re right, we do not know if the dragons left the dungeon. Tyrion and Varys just left the door open. But maybe the dragons just stayed in the dungeon.
…dying to show us amazing storylines!
7.82 million viewers on Sunday night… looks like a resurrection to me 😉
The Iron Islands – everybody, of course, draws the parallel of Theon arriving at Pyke in season 2 (all lordy-lordy arrogance) and this Reek/Theon one. It’s heartbreaking.
And Yara sitting on the chair in front of the Kraken fireplace, just like Balon. Ominous.
I can understand Yara’s anger and suspicion, but man, did I get the feels when Theon stammered out ” You should rule the Iron Islands. I’ll help you.”
Now, where’s Euron? Yara and Theon don’t stand a chance against him.
Ramsay (Iwan) is hot, even when he’s not singing love songs. I’ve long been conflicted over my attraction to him. I don’t get the fascination with Kit Harington at all, except that his character is so awesome on the show, but Iwan Rheon is totally hot.
No NBA games last Sunday, so it helped
Geralt of Rivia,
No. I refuse to accept that Sansa will leave Jon and side with LF. Fuck that shit !!!
Winterfell – well, it begins and ends with Ramsay flaying an apple. Not a very subtle cinematic cue, but I liked it nevertheless.
Osha was so great, for a while I thought she might pull it off. She was using the same tactics she used before, on Theon… But, alas, Ramsay is a psychopath, unlike Theon. But the music and the camera… the suspense… will she get the knife…
Of course not, we knew she was a goner. RIP Osha, and Natalie Tena. I’m just glad that her exit scene was such a good, tense one.
Great article!!
Book of the Stranger was awesome!
Great scenes, great performances… Daenerys, Tormund and Brienne, Mel, Tyrion, Ramsey and Osha..
And Jon and Sansa, of course (I think Kit and Sophie are formidable!!!) Goosebumps, great chemistry between Kit and Sophie!! I love that they pointed out the similarity between Jon and Sansa: Sure, they weren’t close when they were younger, but they both really wanted to leave Winterfell (Sansa to pursue a dream, and Jon to leave an outgoing nightmare, being a bastard and constantly reminded) It’s so nice that they both find each other after everything!! Ah, I love how Jon cares about Sansa, the way he stopped reading the letter…
I can’t wait for the next episode! 🙂
First, let me just say that I loved all of your thoughts on this episode! Thanks for sharing.
This scene intrigued and I think there were a lot of hidden motives. I’m totally speculating here but will use the spoiler tag just in case…
I am still loving the look on Jorah’s face when he kneels and glances back up at Daeny. He is so wonderful. 🙂
Castle Black – some levity with that awkward meal scene. Not quite the last supper, despite the beautiful light falling on them. Edd, Jon, Tormund on one side, Sansa, Brienne and Pod on the other.
Ooooh, I loved it how slightly snobby southron lady Brienne was appalled by the table manners of Edd, Jon and especially Tormund. And then Tormund’s look… Tormund likes the look of the wench. Tall, strong, fighter. A woman after Tormund’s heart. Sorry, Tormund, she loves another.
The levity stops when the Pink Letter arrives. Rickon is a shock but big bro Jon only stops reading when… Sansa grabs the letter. Your sister will be raped by my men etc. etc.
Jon’s tired of fighting. Sansa eggs him on. Little brother, home, your father was the last true Warden of the North, Lord of Winterfell.
And then he nods.
I really loved this scene. It starts with some comedy but then gets serious and dark. Loved the music slowly building up and then taking over.
And I squeed! Jon and Sansa, the North, the Starks, squeeeee!
Dee,
She could be using him. |Sansa could and should be the reason for Littlefinger’s downfall and maybe even in this season.
This!!! I was thinking of this as well… one fire, one ice, then the other would be ice and fire.
Vaes Dothrak – it’s now Khalar Vezhven, the meeting of the Khals. Khal Moro is obviously a reasonable guy, except when it comes to traditions.
– blink and you’ll miss it, but Dany gave a good look at those nice braziers when she was led to the khals.
– the khals bow to the Dosh Khaleens who bring Dany. I think that was a nice touch, showed how the khals respect the Dosh Khaleen.
Then it all kicks off. Gods, I loved it when Dany called all the khals “small men” Ouch!
It’s nice that the temple was so flammable.
The Unburnt walks out, and all bow to her.
Now, Jorah and Daario. Jorah just saw confirmation of his faith. But Daario? I saw “oh shit” “WTF” “oh, I’d better bow” in his eyes. He’ll betray Dany.
What I really liked about the scene, it wasn’t Drogon come to save mummy again. Dany did it on her own. The Unburnt doesn’t need dragons. (And cue internet wars about wheter show!/book! Dany is immune to fire… Yawn.)
Thanks for the compliment!
One thing that this episode left me wondering…
Dany’s solution to her khal problem. Burn them all!
Her daddy, the Mad King, used that phrase, “Burn them all!”, before Jaime Lannister made sure he couldn’t. The reviled man.
We like Dany and cheer her and let her do atrocious things because we like her, but, really… Dany in Westeros? “Burn them all!”?
Hoyti Von Totiy,
Sophie’s comment:
she’s probably been through more than both of them
Interesting, I guess Ramsey was a fate worse than death
Well…okay then. He is very seductive in this video. I knew he sang and had recorded songs, but I hadn’t listened to any of them yet. I will probably appreciate them more after GoT’s is over or HIS part is over, I should say. May it be soon, that way I can really enjoy his very hotness, not just singing. The man is beautiful. Thanks for dropping this in thread today, it is now swirling about my brain.
Ginevra,
I see the beautiful in both Kit and Iwan. One is more rugged and one is just too dang good looking for his own self. Iwan I see as more rugged and Kit I see as just too lovely. I also thought that Robb (Richard Madden) was the best of the lot. *swoon-thud*
Dame of Mercia,
A fair lady once, always a fair lady, me says.
At least this is our case, my Dame.
And thanks for the explanation!
But, honestly…. pink??? Good thing the showrunners chose more earthy colours for the Boltons!
Are we sisters from another mister? I can relate all too well. Even down to the very long silver hair….fortunately my bewbs are much further North than South, the rest???? As you wrote, not quite as bad, but then again we aren’t 200 years old, yet. Allow me to add that my birthday is Saturday and I WANT ME ONE OF THOSE NECKLACES!!!
My question is a different one: what greyscale is supposed to do to a person (apart tthe obvious skin thing)?
Because the guys that attacked him and Tyrion and gave him the disease seemed pretty fit.
And yes, I also completely misread the belt scene. But to be honest I thought it was to show Daario his private parts to prove he’s still young in that respect. Then I dismissed this thought and figured it was to take a piss.
And then of course I felt pretty stupid.
It’s possible Cersei will take care of that part before Dany arrives.
Cute? So cute? I’ll set my direwolves on you. Or maybe I’ll just burn you. I am not cute! You’re fucking cute yourself! So there!
(All said in the nicest manner possible, of course.)
LordDavos,
So, what will Tyrion’s role be then?
(For whatever reason, this last episode made me paranoid about his fate – I need to see a convincing reason why he can’t die this season…)
haha, we obviously watched with the same eyes (re: the belt scene) 😀
But, as to greyscale… I’m not sure what the show has established, apart from Gilly telling that her sisters who had it going mad in the later stages. The stone men in Valyria (where Jorah got his infection) seemed pretty physically fit, at least for short bursts.
It is important that Daario now knows that Jorah’s got greyscale. He can use that to banish Jorah from Dany and ingratiate himself even further… Hm. I’m thinking of that last scene. Daario looked disbelieving, oh fuck, I’d better kneel because all the others do… The difference in Jorah’s and Daario’s reactions was so marked it was flashing neon lights.
Yes. Another Mad King reference. I wonder how poor Jaime will be involved in it. It’s his nightmare.
talvikorppi,
Yes! Love that you pointed out the close up shots they used this episode! I am a photographer so I tend to look at things like this when I watch. I am always looking at what is in the background or around the characters in a scene. This show is put together so well.
I have thoughts about what all the close ups meant in this one…to make it short each close up was reflective of the person associated with it. Long Claw is Jon’s and it seemed like even Ed didn’t want him to forget that by bringing it over to where Jon was packing. Almost like….hey don’t forget this fight. Poor Margery is inching her way through her captivity. Sweet Robin is about to take off and fly across Westeros for Sansa and might be more cunning then we think. (Also had a thought of who is going to warg into Robin’s new bird.)
Ramsey and the apple….well….he just loves to peel things.
The work that the whole team does to put this show together is just awesome. I love the story but all of the cinematic devises and the score just add so much depth to the greatness that is this show!
could we be headed for a trial by combat with loras?
Flat much!! He can’t sing, stick to acting lol
talvikorppi,
Regarding darrio’s look …he is obviously in shock and awe ..he has never seen dany like this before and at that moment he realizes how much he hes been lucky with dany and get to fuck who people consider as god ..
He thought he knew dany but never knew she was this wild
And with that realization he gets on his knees ..
And the inside the episode where michael and ian and emilia speaks confirms this.
I guess we are all different. I feel exactly the opposite. To me Kit is drop dead gorgeous and I can’t see what is attractive about Iwan at all. But hey, it would be a dull world if we all felt the same.
talvikorppi,
why isn’t anybody mentioning the 2 dragons at large?
Yes, if they were roaming the skies of Meereen, it would seem like that they’d be a line of people demanding compensation for building damage or dead goats or children. Maybe that’s all off-screen like the discussions of Jon’s death and rebirth
Flora Linden,
Well she’s threaten on a couple of occasions to burn cities, and Cersei seems like the kind of person to follow through on her threats
Darkrobin,
It’s probable she’ll try it
BigMac
I don’t think it really lessens Tyrion’s role at all. He is a key fixer. He probably has one of the best chances of survival and helping to run things at the end.
I haven’t seen the Inside the Episode thingy. Fair enough if they confirm something else that I thought I saw. Because I saw Daario going Oh shit. Jorah was right. My game’s up. Jorah was the believer, and had his faith confirmed, Daario wasn’t a believer and is tryinging to reconcile what he saw with what he knows.
If I was Dany, I’d trust Jorah a million times over Daario.
Ah, Finland lead 3-0 agaist Canada in the ice-hockey World Champs, must attend… 🙂
JCDavis,
Ginevra,
Halfman,
Personally, I find Iwan’s look more interesting than Kit. He is different – kinda like Rami Malek. Jawline for days and mesmerizing eyes that easily go from innocent to terrifying. His music is not really for me but good for him for putting himself out there and trying. Don’t get me wrong, Kit is incredibly good looking (especially in character as Jon Snow). Those lips, that body, who wouldn’t swoon! BUT since S1 episode 1 my heart has belonged to Richard Madden aka the King of the North. The moment he picked up the direwolf pup I was hooked. Little known scientific fact, all men are twice as adorable when they are holding direwolf puppies 😉 #thenorthremembers #greywindlivesoninmyheart
Since this is the internet and everyone is a Chandler (shout out to Kimmy Schmidt fans!) please note that I’m just kidding and not trivializing these men or their talents.
Ghost,
I think two died in the Red Waste. She sent 3 riders off to find help and one’s horse came back with his decapitated head. I can’t remember what happened to the other one. The last one returned safely from Qarthe. I don’t remember what happened to him afterward, but I think they’re all dead.
Sou,
If you flay somebody, the skin underneath is pink – the Bolton color and the pink flayed man on their banners.
Hoyti Von Totiy,
I don’t think his conscience is bothered about killing the wights and the white walker
How was LF “devious”? His plan was “Buy SweetRobin a gift. That will cause him to bail me out when I inevitably get busted in my obvious self-serving lies and betrayal”.
Of course, this “worked”, because the narrative demand that LF keep his head on his shoulders until season’s end, not because it made a lick of sense. I was wondering more than a season ago how LF would get out of the (TV-only) box in the Vale. D&D didn’t even try to come up with a logical answer, and instead just asserted some Deux-ex-Irrational-SweetRobin. That, to me, was one of the most disappointing elements of the season so far, as the logic of the narrative and peoples’ behaviors is of paramount importance.
People really don’t know what a Deus Ex Machina is, huh? It’s getting comical at this point
No I don’t. Please explain. Go ahead and use big words, please.
Did you happen to catch the opening of CB gate revealing three riders (Sansa, Brienne, Pod) mirroring the very first scene of Game of Thrones season 1 and the ending mirroring the end of season 1? 🙂
And yes i definitely noticed the closeups of Greyworm’s dagger. I wonder what implications that might have….
Jared,
Aggo was the dude Daariosmashed by the pot….or was his name anyhow.
Ginevra,
Iwan reminds me of Frodo but with much better facial structure. I can see the appeal if blue eyes and his type of jawline is one’s type. To explain some people’s fascination with Jon I can only sum up to say he projects a pleasing combination of innocence/beauty and rugged/alpha maleness.
My husband (non-watcher) was at home this past Sunday and saw the reunion bit. His comments were “That dude looks better cleaned up but that actress isn’t very good.” Lol. I didn’t see a problem with Sophie’s acting, especially in the courtyard.
Huh?
Chad Brick,
Can you stop ranting already!? If you hate every single scene, why do you keep posting on a fansite?
Some of these reviewers are actually quite horrible in separating reality and show reality. They basically fawn on ‘feminist’-moments, lamenting that the first 5 seasons were apparently quite mysogynist (there were many strong woman moments before). Ignoring completely the type of world GoT is based on. Their bias especially shows when they kind of complain about Dany’s nudity in the last scene as not really necessary (uhm…fire burns clothes). I know this was to be expected after D&Ds comments, but I assumed that would pertain to fans and blogs, not reviewers of relatively large media companies in the review of an episode (where I would like narrative and film-technical analysis).
If you think I would waste my time watching (let alone commenting on) a show I didn’t love, you gravely misunderstand me. There is far more Good TV out there than I will ever watch….and the bit I do watch, I want to be the best it can be. That implies the exclusion of plot holes, minimal deus-ex-whatever, and a lack of an over-reliance on tropes, all of which have been increasing in frequency the last two seasons.
Chad Brick,
Yes, whatever. But I haven’t seen you write a single positive thing about the show and no wonder that you are often seen as book purist. Not to mention that the books have flaws as well, especially the last two.
That’s because no one argues with me when I say I like something, because 80% of the posters here just say “Great!”, “No, better than Great!”, or “No no no! Better than Great AND Buttered Popcorn combined!”.
After every episode, I post a list of scenes I did and did not like. Conversations here flow from the latter. While I can nit-pick almost every scene in every episode, there are only a few I truly don’t like. This year so far, it was the Sand Snake murders (which I am far from alone in panning) and this week’s LF/SweetRobin scene, which I found to be entirely implausible and a cheap writing hack by D&D so that they could tie up their equally implausible Sansa-in-Winterfell loose ends and get the show back on the book track. Thank God that is effectively finished, and we can get on with things.
Sullied by Knight,
He is the best……totally unwavering in his service to Dany and still in awe of her after all this time