Spoiler note: The discussion in this post is primarily for non-book readers as well as viewers who have NOT been spoiled by leaks (book fans can discuss the show-only here). We ask that all Sullied book-readers refrain from posting spoilers in the comments here, veiled or otherwise. No spoilers, at all! This show is best viewed without knowing all the surprises beforehand or afterwards, so please be respectful of your fellow fans. Thank you!
While in King’s Landing, be sure to visit the historic Sept of Baelor. It’s a blast! – King’s Landing Commerce and Tourism Guide
Welcome to the final, unadulterated Unsullied recap of Season 6. A man is truly at a loss for words other than the usual four-letter expletives that naturally come to mind.
Not only did the finale live up to the hype train, it gave us plenty to discuss during the nine and a half long months of darkness. Enter at your own risk… it’s about to get hot.
So, I’ll start with this… last night’s episode gave us an enormous of amount of information that will likely lead to an unprecedented number of possibilities at to what may follow in the final two seasons. There is no way in hell to go into all of it on this post, so I won’t even make an attempt.
This is simply to recap and discuss what transpired in the 68 minutes of awesomeness we witnessed last night/early this morning. We’ve got plenty of time to guesstimate where it all may lead. And we will, which is exactly the reason you should stick around during the off-season.
So let’s go…
Angry Birds in King’ Landing
If you were one of the many that speculated that Cersei would light a match to the motherfucker, then pat yourself on the back. But she didn’t take it all out. She had to leave herself a kingdom to rule.
The beginning of the episode was absolutely stunning. From the wardrobes to the music to the various character preparations, you knew that something historic to the world of ice and fire was about to transpire.
![20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_010.00111104[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_010.001111041.jpg)
Loras was broken completely, and would admit to all of his transgressions with no trial necessary. Of course, noticeably absent were the King and his mother. When Tommen finally decided it was time to go, he was blocked by the Mountain. At that point, it was only a matter of time.
Pycelle would be stopped by a whispering child and lured into the lair of the mad scientist. Instead of letting him burn with the others, Qyburn apparently wanted the joy of watching Pycelle die at knifepoint, compliments of his angry birds.
![GOT610_103015_HS__DSC8907[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GOT610_103015_HS__DSC89071.jpg)
Another angry bird is seen running out of the Sept and pursued by Lancel Sandwich. And as you are all aware, what he saw wasn’t good. Lancel is stabbed and painfully crawls to find candles sitting in a pool of wildfire. The rest is history.
Margaery realizes that all of the occupants of the Sept are in danger and pleads with the High Sparrow to take action and to evacuate. But in true faith militant fashion, the crowd is blocked in including Kevan Lannister, Loras, Margaery and Mace Tyrell.
![20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_013.00111474[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_013.001114741.jpg)
Arguably the biggest surprise to me was that Marg didn’t get out. The curtain call list 20 minutes in was already a mile long.
![20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_016.00111618[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_016.001116181.jpg)
Shortly after the faith inferno, Cersei has her favorite Septa chained down. After they share a glass of wine, Cersei then gives the Mountain the gift of Unella. Brutal.
![GOT610_120715_HS__DSC3284[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GOT610_120715_HS__DSC32841.jpg)
Of course, the real tragedy here is Tommen. I think Ozzette shed a tear and tried to hide it. But this innocent kid never had a chance.
![20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_021.00119295[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_021.001192951.jpg)
Frey Party
The Freys and the Lannisters celebrate their victory in taking back Riverrun. But Jaime is not in a celebratory mood. He was chipper enough to set up Bronn with a couple of nice ladies but when Walder sits down, Jaime would not be as cordial. Jaime questions whether Walder ever had to personally fight for anything and why the Lannisters needed the Freys at all.
Later on, a server that had been staring at Jaime brings Walder some finger-licking good pie. When Walder asks where his sons are, the server tells him that they are already there and reveals that she is Arya Stark. And all of a sudden, the list got shorter.
Citadel Sam
Sam, Gilly, and baby Sam arrive at the impressive landscape of the Oldtown and are greeted at the welcome center by Bean.
![GOT_MP_091115_EP610-1828[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GOT_MP_091115_EP610-18281.jpg)
Sam is allowed access to the grandiose Citadel library where I was convinced that his father Randyll was going to cut his head off and reclaim the family sword. But thankfully Sam will live to see Season 7. And Gilly and the baby will reside in the welcome center lobby with Bean while Sam begins his studies.
The New King in the North
After finding out what really happened to Shireen, Davos confronts Velvet and makes her admit it to Jon. As punishment, Jon commands her to ride south and Davos threatens that if she ever returns that he will execute her himself.
Later, Littlefinger would admit to Sansa that what he really wants (and what we have assumed for quite some time) is the Iron Throne with her by his side. He tells her that he has pledged the Knights of the Vale to the Starks and makes it clear that she should be the leader rather than the “motherless boy from the south.”
![GOT610_121515_HS__DSC4091[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/GOT610_121515_HS__DSC40911.jpg)
In a meeting of the northern houses, the young Lady Mormont once again proves to be the biggest man in the room and pledges her loyalty to Jon and House Stark, even though Jon is technically not a Stark. She declares Jon the King in the North and Manderly and Glover admit they made a mistake by not supporting him.
Of course, this didn’t work out quite the way Littlefinger had planned. I’m not going to delve into deep speculation here, but Sansa is obviously concerned about the presence of Lysakiller. I told you Baelish wasn’t done yet.
Goodbye Again, Benjen
Benjen drops off Bran and Meera near the Wall and bids them farewell while telling them that he will do his best in fighting for the living.
Bran almost immediately touches the weirwood and continues his vision from the tower to learn the true parentage of Jon. And finally, the theory is confirmed.
Congratulations to everyone who figured this one out (especially the book readers who have been fretting over this for YEARS). Keep in mind that this is a shock to many viewers of the show who had very little reason to believe that Jon was someone other than Ned Stark’s bastard.
Dorne Reborn
You knew that the writers didn’t include Dorne at the beginning of the season with the intention of never revisiting it, didn’t you?
After losing everyone that she loves in Cersei’s blaze of glory, Grannie Flowers shows up in Dorne. As speculated, Ellaria and Olenna have a common hatred and unsurprisingly form a bond.
Many speculated that Varys was headed to Dorne as well. They were correct too. Maybe this is an opportunity for the Dorne storyline to reinvent itself, especially with Thorns demanding respect and verbally abusing the Sand Snakes.
![20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_042.00181531[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_042.001815311.jpg)
Traveling Dany
After five years of being teased with Dany’s intent to sail to Westeros, she is FINALLY on her way. In this weekend’s Death Odds post, my wild card was Daario and the probability of at least one more twist from Meereen before Dany left. Daario wouldn’t die, but he would be left behind to keep the peace at the “Bay of Dragons.”
![20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_030.00154013[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/20160603_ep610_Publicity_Still_030.001540131.jpg)
Dany would later name Tyrion “the Hand of the Queen” and the fleet would set sail.
But Dany would not be the only Queen who would be in need of a “Hand.”
![ep610_001_02034719[1]](http://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ep610_001_020347191.jpg)
The Ruling Cersei
Wow.
When Qyburn showed Cersei the remains of Tommen, she seemed both unsurprised and unaffected. Perhaps she has grown immune to dying children. But at this point, she had to know by the prophecy of the swamp witch that Tommen’s death was imminent. Did part of her Sept barbecue plot include her ultimately staking claim and personally sitting on the Iron Throne?
Regardless, wow.
The telling glare from Jaime to Cersei as he arrived in the throne room said it all, all without saying a word.
But as Cersei said to Ned way back in Season 1, “In the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” Cersei wins. For now.
Episode 610 Personal Awards
Favorite Quotes:
“But sometimes before we can usher in the new, the old must be put to rest.” -Qyburn
“I do things because they feel good.” –Cersei
“Can’t go killing my son by law, wouldn’t be right. Give my family a bad name.” –Walder
“What is your name again? Barbaro?” –Olenna
“The King in the North!” -The Northern Houses
“If Robert finds out, he’ll kill him. You know he will. You have to protect him. Promise me, Ned. Promise me.” -Lyanna
Ow, That Shit Hurts Award: Pycelle’s death was rough, and the “It’s not you, it’s me” moment from Dany to Daario had to sting.
Jackass Award: Tough not to give it to Walder as he ranks right up there on the leaderboard with Ramsay and Alliser. But in the end, he had his pie and ate it too.
I’ll give it to Cersei for nearly taking out the entire Tyrell family, along with an Emmy for Lena Headey.
Overall Thoughts: Amazing episode and arguably one of the best finales in the show’s history. The visuals were stunning. The landscapes were beautiful. The costumes were superb. The direction was first-class. And the acting was fantastic.
Even more important was that it gave us a lot to digest and plenty of fodder to chew on for the off-season. A rewatch is mandatory. The new alliances. The death of so many long-term characters. The fallout of everything that transpired. There’s plenty to chat about at the water cooler until next April.
Considering the episode name, I was a little surprised that we didn’t see the White Walkers. But the episode had plenty of winter references. Varys sailing to Dorne, and then sailing back to Meereen, and then sailing again for Westeros came across as a little odd. Think of all the gas money he wasted.
I’m actually fine with the Daario deal as he has never been my favorite character. But will we ever see that guy again? My guess is yes. I’m more happy to know that somewhere, Jorah Mormont is still limping along looking for a cure and that he presumably lives at least until the next season.
Alright kiddos! Enough of my take. Give me yours. So much info. Spit it out. I haven’t read a comment anywhere about anything, so I’m interested to see what you have to say.
And look… just because the season is over doesn’t mean you have to run for the hills and leave us here alone at the Wall. The off-season is full of casting, filming info, mindless speculation, and all the donuts you can eat. So don’t be a stranger. Hang out and stay awhile. Invite an Unsullied to join us. And may there always be peace in your realm. –Oz
Find Oz on Twitter.
**SPOILER NOTE: The Management of this fine site would like to remind you that spoilers (book or leak) are not allowed in Unsullied posts. This includes spoilers that may be covered by code or otherwise. Personally, I appreciate feedback from Sullied and Unsullied alike, so long as they do not include any type of hinting or conversation related to the written verse. However, spoiler coded comments do tend to lead to further Sullied conversation and for that reason, we ask that you please refrain from posting any SPOILERY content whatsoever in Unsullied posts. Thank you for the coop. -Oz
The King In the North!!!
And now our watch begins.
Love Cersei’s new evil Queen look!
Look out if she starts handing out apples!!
Awesome finale … awesome season.
And Now Our Watch to April 2017 Begins.
Wonderful episode… Thank you as always for your amazing recaps Oz! They will be missed during the off season…. 🙁
My final episode ranking for the season goes like that. Episode 7 and 8 were just OK for me but I enjoyed every other one. Episode 2, 5, 9 and 10 blew it out of the park…
10 > 2 > 9 > 5 > 4 > 6 > 3=1 > 8 > 7
I think it’s not my favourite season, but it felt amazing, with lots of touching/striking moments as well as great returns, however I’m not sure of it as a whole. I have the impression that there have been too many storylines this year, and the overall story felt too over the place, with no real main thread and rush sometimes. Don’t know it you understand what I mean…
But to be fair, that was the season of reunions, characters are tying together more and more and I really loved it. Season 7 looks very very promising with few “main” stories: King’s Landing ; Winterfell ; Dorne (with Dany and co). There should also be Riverlands with Brienne, BWB, Arya and Melisandre maybe merging? And of course Oldtown, as Sam is my favourite character…
Since this has already come up in one comment: there is stuff still unfilmed from the books. So yes, there are still Sullied and Unsullied, so please be respectful of the distinction and keep book stuff, ALL book stuff from this post. Thanks!
Oh! How I wait for your reviews Mr. Oz after the show ends… how I wait.. you write amazingly well 🙂
I am glad that the whole religious entanglement issue of the upcoming seasons was summarily removed so utterly thoroughly this episode. There is nothing more tedious to watch than the battle of the temporal versus the spiritual. The benefit of this being wholly fictional realm is that we get to divorce the story from our own history of which the secular is inextricably intertwined with the sacred.
I feel like this is the reason why historical medieval dramas which look and feel like GOT, but are rooted in reality, often fail; at some point the riveting secular plots must run headlong into the tedium that is Christian politics. European history is full of fights like we see in this series but unlike this series, Christianity and religion cannot be cleaved from the telling of the story.
I feel like many of the historical stories of our own world would be better told without the spiritual and religious elements to them. I think this is why, among a Christian culture, that religious stories do not find much purchase among its secular counterparts.
Clearly, the High Sparrow plot line in this series was beginning to become overripe and stink. I don’t think many people would have been as satisfied for the series to devolve into a rote back-and-forth between secular and sacred power dynamics. I for one was happy to see the hypocritical HS go up in flames. He was less pious and more revolutionary than he claimed and was destined to suck the fun out of this series.
tl;dr. There is no longer any room left for the High Sparrow plot in this rapidly concluding story and D&D just saved us from some frustrating tedium of sacred and secular power dynamics.
Stunning, amazing, thought and cheer provoking. I knew Cersei was up to something serious when I saw that dress. It needed a crown.
How long until talks of the Jon/Danny marriage come about?
She has to marry for strategic reasons?! Well she pretty much owns the south, now she needs the north and who is King of the North….
Poor ineffectual Tommen. Couldn’t help thinking of a parallel with Bran pushed out a window by his father Jamie at the behest of his mother Cersi.
Good episode, still puzzled as to why the Lannister army couldn’t rid KL of the FM yet Riverrun was handled with hardly a scratch.
Cannot wait for a twisty Cersei comeuppance.
Just wondering will Jon be considered a Blackfyre? There’s a few different names for Targaryean bastards.
My favorite finale ever and my favorite season ever. I would now rank them 6 > 4> 5> 3 > 2 >1
Really wish we had one more White Walker scene this season though. Just a quick one in the finale.
Would have liked a Dolorous Edd cameo as Bran and Meera arrived at Castle Black but we will likely get something like that next year.
Now what we really needed was a soundtrack with Ozzyman giving his thoughts on things as they happened before his very eyes, that would have to f…ing awesome! 😀
Mihnea,
More like Re-watch here! 😀
Did Bran ever say “They have no idea what’s going to happen”?
I think it’s true love…yes, I’m going to marry this episode! *swoons*
Sue the Fury,
Since I don’t see my comment anymore, I assume you were talking about it? I’m not sure what was spoilerific about what I said as Robb and Caetlyn have a conversation about it on the show?!?!
Jack Bauer 24,
Dont think so…but someone else did.
Kyle,
We’ll see when they meet if he is still King in the North. Robb was one and end up dead. Not saying Jon will die but don’t think he’ll be King when they meet.
Sansa “Winter is here.”
Jon “Well, father always promised us, didn’t he?”
Best finale ever to the best season of the best show ever. Just when you think GoT couldn’t get any better after last episode, this episode delivered it and then some.
I am in awe of the opening sequence. So well done! The acting, the music, the costumes, everything! Somewhat surprised to see Cersei not commiting suicide and blow up KL entirely after Tommen died. But I guess she already made peace with the prophecy. But now what? Due to her actions they have no allies and nobody clapped when she was crowned. Jaime looked pissed.
R+L=J! Now it is only waiting till Jon learns about it. Which I suspect he will when and if Bran reaches him. Lysakiller will continue to drive a wedge between Jon and Sansa. Damnit. For now at least I think Sansa is fine with Jon being The King in the North. YEESS!! Hopefully Sansa listens to her own advice “Only a fool would trust Littlefinger“.
Arya in continuing to go down a dark path. Though I am glad Walder finally got what was coming to him.
And Dany finally moving Westeros!!! Guess she is the younger and prettier one from Cersei’s prophecy. Cersei seems to be doomed. And Dany has so many allies. Nobody can stop her now. Glad to see Tyrion being her Hand.
I would also like to give a big shout out to all the actors. Everybody brought their A-game! And I am sad to see so many go! What an episode!
Great recap as always Oz! I will not be leaving this great website in the off-season and I am looking forward to your off-season Looking Forwards and crazy speculations.
This finale was sort of that in between high where things look almost positive for many *good guys*…not unlike the end of the Two Towers.
Things will get worse and better by the end but we have fairly positive closure this off season.
Things still cant be easy though so I expect Euron to mess with Dany’s almost unstoppable force.
I also expect Littlefinger to mess with the unified North as well so they aren’t able to fully focus on the white walkers.
I’m so going to called that maester Bean now lol.
On serious note, Margaery’s death felt shocking to me and very game of thrones. You know when somewhat heroic characters played the game than lose at the end (Jon, Oberyn, Robb, Cat, Ned).
I predicted Marg’s death but the show made me think she will somehow survives. She knows something is wrong than tries to escape. I was rooting for her to get out but game of thrones happened. In the end, Marg’s death is very tragic and one of the best deaths in the show history.
Westeros is very short of eligible bachelors for Dany after this episode. LOL But if she really is barren, it won’t matter after she dies anyway, will it? The Targaryan house will be officially dead, unless Jon and the world are told of his heritage.
Awkward first date:
Dany, “So, I can walk through fire and not burn, plus I have three dragons.”
Jon, ” Cool! I was stabbed to death but a red woman brought me back to life. I have a direwolf named Ghost.”
Dany, Oh, that’s a cute name!”
One other thing I wondered…did D&D give us the Lyanna Stark baby but not fully disclose everything (Bran can’t raise the volume on his visions?) because they wanted to leave us hanging…and…they’re giving GRRM one last shot to fully reveal the exact happenings between Raegar and Lyanna?
The only eligible bachelor I can think of for Dany is Euron, unless Littlefinger makes a break with the Starks and gives her Sweetrobin.
It seems to be wish fulfillment season in Westeros. And you know what? I really like it so far. This was probably one of the best episodes, certainly one of the most memorable ones.
If there’s any criticism, then it would be the general one I have for the whole season, everything seems to tie up almost too quickly and easily. We might have to get used to the fact that we see more epic conclusions we waited for all the time but never got, even if by now we can’t believe we would ever get them. It couldn’t have gone on forever.
One theme really sticks out for me: As it turns out women take the positions of power everywhere, because they seem to be no men left capable of wielding it, and tradition is simply no option any more. Cersei is Queen of the Seven Kingdoms (or at least of Kings Landing), Ellaria seems to rule Dorne totally without any pretense of a claim, Olenna is the head of house Tyrell and there is a Dragon Queen coming from Essos installing another Queen of the Iron Islands. The only reason why we don’t get a queen in the North is because Lady Mormont anoints Jon almost by herself. So women (or ten year old girls) make all the important decisions everywhere. Interesting. Will anything fundamentally change because of that? Let’s wait and see.
Who?
Jon could take a concubine?
Sapochnik is beast
The Sword Of The Moaning,
We should start a petition to let him direct every episode from now on.
Great recap Oz. Glad you enjoyed the episode as much as I did.
I wrote a comment in another thread, ill copy it here. Too lazy to retype haha
I just want to say that I absolutely loved that episode. It can easily be my #1 of the entire series (SORRY BOTB LOL). I need to do a rewatch and I need to rewatch the entire season and then the entire series.
But wow. I never thought I would say that.
It was perfection from start to finish, the cinematography, the music, the visuals, the actors, everything.
And then there was my very satisfying moments as a Stark fan: Sansa & Jon’s special moment together – Smiling at winter
Arya Stark, red wedding revenge, finally.
Jon, King in the North? REALLY???? I CRIED FOR LIFE.
And everything else was perfection:
Dany – Hand of the Queen, sailing to Westeros with Tyrion, Varys, Three Dragons, 100,000 Dothraki, Unsullied, Martells, Tyrells, Greyjoys. Simply phenomenal and I was NOT expecting that.
KL – Perfection wow. Tragic end for Marg and Tommen. Broke my heart. Cersei, the mad queen, gave me shivers.
Sam/Gilly, so cute.
Dorne scene was sick.
And finally, this one needs one of its own:
BABY JON. <3 simply marvellous. Poor Lyanna, so tragic, so sad. What happened? I want to know. I need a prequel.
200/10
LOVED your recap as always Oz!! Will definitely miss your wit and humor in them until next season. Glad to know there will be much to talk about in the off season with filming and casting coming soon. And filming spoilers?! Was blown away by this finale….literally! Loved everything Oz loved! EVERYTHING! It was perfection! My fav episode behind BotB, still in awe of the spectacle that it was! Miguel Sapochnik is one of the best director’s in the business and should be at the helm of way more projects! So many arcs were set up for next season, am a bit worried about Jon/Littlefinger/Sansa! Jon is too naive about Littlefinger! Thanks to Sue, Oz, Axey and everyone at WOTW for all their amazing articles, countless hours pursuing all things GoT, keeping all of us fans sane when we want to go there! The many months in between seasons would be unbearable without WOTW!!?????????
Also, did Sansa say that line from the trailer? “All I could think about is everything that’s been taken from me” Something to that effect I don’t remember what she says
Only two of my favorite characters died this season: Wun Wun and Margaery. I guess it went better than expected! 😉
Episodes 9 and 10 were absolutely awesome. Can Sapochnik direct everything from now on?
And seriously: Lyanna Mormont on the Iron Throne NOW. With Olenna as Hand of the Queen.
For anybody that has no figured out that Jonsa is endgame here, well, welcome to the new normal. Oh yes, Danny at this point should be odds on favorite to the Iron Throne as the “pretender” Cersie her reign will be quite short.
As for the women empowerment movement, yeah I don’t care it makes for good story and plus I guess they felt they had to make up for that awful Season 5 destruction of Sansa via Ramsey.
Absolutely loved the finale and the season as a whole. It’s crazy for me to think but I have to put this season at a tie for 4th with season 4
1-3 > 4=6 >>> 5
I’d like to point out that I am a non-book reader (I plan to read them after the finishing of the tv show)
Seasons 1-3 will never be touched imo because of how unpredictable every thing was. Each house vying for their own personal agendas made the show so unique and impossible to predict
As much as I loved season 6 and was happy to see all of our theories and such “confirmed” it really seemed like the directors almost dedicated the season to fan service
But that’s just my humble opinion
Gonna be a long 10 months!
I know book readers and spoiler hounds think Jon’s parentage was obvious, but an informal survey I took of unsullied friends show that they were completely surprised by the revelation. In a way I envy their surprise. That cut to Kit’s haunted face must’ve been a gut punch.
I want, no, I NEED to see ‘Battle of the Bastards’ and ‘Winds of Winter’ in IMAX.
Make. It. Happen.
Dee Stark,
No she didn’t. I remember thinking that earlier, after I’d watched the. Episode.
Favorite moment as well. Loved to see them on battlements of Winterfell. It was amazing to see the Stark sigil back in the opening credits.
Insomnia333,
No, they only discussed the possibility of that thing. You’re mixing up the book and the show.
clouddragon,
I support that and this time also in the rest of the world.
Ser Jay of the Trident (Sword of the Afternoon),
Who says he’s a Targaryen bastard? Although Raegar was already married, didn’t the Targaryens practice polygamy? T+L may have been legitimately married befor the birth of J.
Dolorous (N)Edd,
Hee, yeah, that would work
Actually thinking Lyanna in a few years would make a great match for Jon. Granted she doesnt have red hair (tho is sister um I mean cousin does) they could be quite the formidable couple in the game
This episode is my favorite of the season, in my now favorite season of the series (just squeaking by 4). Incredible – the camera work, the CGI, the story, and oh yeah, the acting!!! Everyone hit this out of the ballpark. Just splendid. How in the world are we going to choose best actor in the off season? I predict lots of ties…..Heck this episode even made me like Dorne (yeah for Elenna for putting the snakes in their place!)
Only quibble – so how are Bran and Meera going to survive without Benjen? Unless a ranger from whats left of CB happen to stumble on them and brings them back to Edd….
And now our watch begins….sigh Ok WOTW, keep us occupied for the next nine months please!
I noted that callback to season 1 as soon as Tommen went thru the window. Was it planned that far in advance, or did D&D just see the opportunity as these newer storylines played out? Either way – very good story framing.
When the tower of joy scene jumps to the scene with Jon his mind seemed to be else where like he was thinking about something else. In a daze for a second, if you like. Did anyone else get the feeling that he sensed brans vision or something?
Ravyn,
You are right. The vast majority had no clue.
Stirring Things,
I had the exact same thought. I really hope Jamies goodness shines through and slays the bitch! Mehh King slayer, Queen slayer.. all the same lol
Stirring Things,
first thing that came to mind was bran s1ep1
Awkward first date:
Dany, “so, I can walk through fire and not burn, plus I have three dragons.”
Jon, “Cool! I was stabbed to death and brought back by a red woman. My direwolf’ snake is Ghost.”
Dany, “Awww, that’s such a cute name!”
The actress playing Lyanna tweeted this 🙂
https://twitter.com/AisFranciosi/status/747342019006074880
LOL!
H.Stark,
LOL!
Thought you meant baby bear with Lyanna for a sec and was rather confused!
I’m not doubting the baby was Jon but has it been explicitly confirmed ?
Jack Bauer 24,
I haven’t re-watched a second time yet…but when it happened I was like, wtf, weird!
It might not have been verbatim but it was close and it stuck out in my mind…does anyone else remember?
1s?????? LOL
bullshit.
(IMDB)
Votes Percentage Rating
27188 94.3% 10
1005 3.5% 9
225 0.8% 8
74 0.3% 7
25 0.1% 6
18 0.1% 5
15 0.1% 4
10 0.0% 3
17 0.1% 2
251 0.9% 1
Kim hall,
I wouldn’t read too much into it. I think it was just for dramatic effect. It really wouldn’t work if they cut to him eating.
From beginning to end that was bonkers. So sad to see my girl Margarey and my sweet beautiful Loras taken out, but what a way to go. I was almost glad that she lost her last child as the result of her actions.
Lady Olenna can hang around Dorne all she wants, and I’m so glad she left KL before the bonfire. She and Lady Lyanna steal every scene they’re in.
So if Jon is a Starkgaryen does he get a dragon along with his wolf??
Awww yeah Khaleesi is coming to Westeros y’all.
Arya with Walder Frey was unexpected and delightful….I straight up hollered when she ripped that face off….scared the crap out of my cat. The Many Faced God has been promised a list of names.
Can someone help me with some recall…is it Tyrion or someone else who said previously “only a fool would trust Littlefinger”
Best season…Best episode….Best sites on tv….LOVED IT
Thank you for these great recaps Oz. Next season should be even more nuts. 🙂
Riverhawk,
That was some Tywin Lannister cosplay realness, wasn’t it??? Looking like Maleficent.
I love to hate Cersei.
Good episode, not amazing..
Kim hall,
He did seem out of it for a second there to me as well.
Dee Stark,
You know they’re just putting 1s just to be contrary. Don’t mind those.
Couldn’t edit my previous comment, but wanted to add that “Bastards” and “Winter” seen together back-to-back is a better summer blockbuster than any of the tent-pole genre movies out there. Your move, Hollywood studios.
Lyanna_Targaryen,
Hahaha fine!
What do you think, will it be the lion sigil on KL in the opening sequence next season?
Oh I remember seeing her in ‘The Fall’ and saying they should get her a part on GoT 🙂
There is just a slight resemblance between her and Maisie, which is a nice correlation with Lyanna and Arya having similar looks. (can’t remember if this was stated in the show but I guess that’s not an unsullied spoiler any more!)
Jon + Daenerys ? Seriously ? Did you get at all that she is his aunt ? Sure, none of them knows yet, but still. The writers would never put them together, what would the point be ?
However, another one is desperately in love… But if a certain theory is right, it could create problems. Though only if 1/ he was loved back one day and 2/ if it happened before the revelation. That probably implies too many ifs ; but GoT is surpriseland, even shockland !
Could not agree more that these two hours of television were better than most movies. Miguel Sapochnik’s directing is phenomenal. I would love to see what he would do with a huge budget on a big screen. Yo Spielberg, you listening?
Yep. If Jon is a bastard, he wouldn’t be the heir. Viserys would’ve been. If Viserys was the king, then Arthur Dayne and the other Kingsguard members should have been protecting him. There’d be no reason to guard Jon if he was only a bastard.
If or when Dany finds out there’s another legit Targaryen, she’s not going to be pleased. It’s going to be a good final two seasons. I can’t wait to find out what happens when these two story arcs finally converge.
Edit. Sorry, forgot what thread I was in.
It´s absolutely illogic that the first thing that Ayra does when she returns to Westeros is the vengance of the Red Wedding, she would have first visited Winterfell and find out the situation with her family.
Rafael Haro,
If her ship docked in the south wouldn’t she have to pass the Twins to get to Winterfell? Plus after the RW, watching the wolf get slaughtered, and seeing Robb’s desecrated corpse I’m sure Walder Frey is pretty high on her list.
Rafael Haro,
No why should she? She assumes her family is all dead, has no reason at all to go there. Now, she is thinking of her family – she is avenging them (sorta what LF said to Sansa a few seasons ago).
Unbowed, Unbent, Unlucky,
This.
Revenge is important for her, she isn’t that lovely little girl anymore. Like Maisie says in the inside interview. ”she doesn’t really know what happened in Westeros but she does know Walder Frey will be at the Twins.”
We are supposed to cheer at Walders death but also feel a bit horrified at what Arya turned into, a cold blooded killer.
Didn’t Cersei mention in a small council scene in s2/s3 about receiving a white raven from Oldtown? Or was that the announcement of the end of Summer not the beginning of Winter?
Mihnea,
I hadn’t seen the interview but I loved having her pop up out of nowhere. Who is still alive that was on her list besides Cersei and The Mountain? I think Mel is on her list as well.
A great recap Oz as always.
It was a superb finale to Season 6 and kudos to the show runners and the director who did a fine job. Perhaps not quite as ‘Epic’ as BotB with its battle scenes, but just as speculator with scenes like the Sept of Baelor going up in wildfire and Dany & Co sailing to Westeros with her huge fleet plus her ‘WMD’ flying overhead 🙂
It all bodes well for S7 with plenty of loose ends neatly tied up.
BTW, I also read Sue’s ‘Sullied’ recap which of course is always brilliant also, but with some ~500+ comments – Fuck that! No way do I have the time or patience to read through that lot.
I glanced over a few and saw the ‘Nitpicking Brigade’ was well in evidence and complaining that E10 didn’t fulfill their expectations or that ‘such and such’ a character didn’t appear in the finale. WTF – HBO’s GoT ‘is what it is’ and has to be produced within time and money constraints.
Why some posters continue to slag off the series (mostly because it doesn’t conform to the books) fucking beats me! If GRRM had finished the novels years ago, they may have had plenty more to whinge on about. However, now the TV series has overtaken the novels it irrelevant. I don’t give a shit (or a flying fuck 🙂 ) and enjoy GoT for what it is… i.e. Great TV entertainment.
It will be B&W who tell the story (albeit with input from GRRM). Although the WoW may be released this year, I can’t see ADOS ever being written, let alone finished.
I’m excited to read your Looking Forward pieces. There is a LOT of great stuff to speculate on this offseason.
I got the exact same feeling. It is a sad sort of karma
Maybe Jon will bring back the Targaryen Polygamy and Marry both Sansa and Dany…
I was surprised at Jon being named King in the North, especially what happened with the previous king. I thought he’d be Lord of Winterfell at the most. Does this mean he can name Sansa the Lady of Winterfell? The King and the Lord don’t have to be the same person, right?
Lyanna Mormont needs to Jon’s Director of Public Relations. Davos will probably be his Hand.
Littlefinger’s “This was not in my plan” look when Jon is named king. He’s going to be sowing some seeds of discontent with Sansa.
The pretty stuff: Cute baby Jon, gorgeous library, and Olenna telling the Sand Snakes to let the grown folks talk.
The “Little Birds” of Westeros need a big raise. That’s a lot of work for some candy.
Dany isn’t going to have much of Westeros to rule. I’m assuming part of agreement to support Dany is independence. So that takes away Dorne, The Reach, and the Iron Islands. The North and the Vale are committed to Jon (at the moment). That leaves the Westerlands, the Stormlands, and the Riverlands.
I guess Tyrion is the key to uniting with the North since he’s friends was Jon, somewhat married to Sansa, and was helpful to Bran.
I’m worried about Arya when her list runs out.
I got a little misty when Tyrion is named Hand of the Queen. Not sure about the “foreshadowing” about Dany’s love life. I don’t think Dany and Jon make good romantic interests for each other. Allies/Friends -yes, Hump Buddies -no.
Is Meera supposed to carry Bran around now?
Hope Brienne and Pod didn’t row themselves to wherever Gendry is.
The music in the King’s Landing part of the episode was scary. Good, but scary.
FRAN,
The whole point of Jon being a Targaryen is to restore the Targaryen dynasty, so he will marry Daenerys, its just the natural progression of the story. Targaryens have always married between siblings, so its not a big deal.
Ser Jay of the Trident (Sword of the Afternoon),
Why not form a new name honoring both houses he could call himself Tarstark like Henery Tudor
I’m all for it!
While this was the best season finale and I love it, I have some minor beef with the fact that some things seemed to happen out of the blue, like Arya showing up at the Twins. That made the episode seem, at times, a bit rushed, but it didn’t take me out of the episode the way I would have exspected. I think that’s due to Sapochnik, who wove even the clunkier parts seamlessly together. I believe that he can make even a mediocre script shine. If they don’t get him back for next season, it’ll be a crime.
FRAN,
Ummm, in a show with twincest, you think Dany and Jon would be an issue? LOL The Targs had a practice marrying within the family, so this wouldnt be shocking. Especially since they dont share parents.
LyannaQueen,
Not a big deal for THEM, who have always been. Sure Jon won’t want to get married to family : HE has not been raised in incest. And bastard or not, he remains a Targaryen : he does not need her, he has the blood and whoever he marries will have his Targaryen babies. And let us not forget that Daenerys can’t have kids anyway… 😉
Rafael Haro,
Illogical to you and your personal wishes for the character, but not to the story. She’s spent two seasons training with the Faceless Men, why on earth would they abandon that? Lets also keep in mind at the time of her arrival back in Westeros, Boltons still probably controlled the North. No reason to rush up there.
wanderer,
Will be shocking for HIM ! And incest, whether Targaryen or Lannister, has never turned out to bring about anything positive in the story. Maybe the writers will go towards a new order of things…
Remember Tywins speech to Tommen about having an heir?
If you can’t have kids, the point of marriage is only a very temporary alliance in the grand scheme of things, you aren’t binding the houses together
didi,
See Maise’s (Arya) take on this in the ‘A dish served cold’ video on the Post Mortem thread. Its pretty self explanatory? We knew Arya was ‘going home’ in E09, so she decided to go direct to The Twins when she arrived back in Westeros to deal with Walder Frey.
A thing which isn’t obvious in GoT are the time scales between events and scenes? Weeks or even months may have passed, but that has to be compressed into a 10 hour (a season) long TV show. Not so as like was in ’24’ which supposedly showed events in real time.
EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
1. Step Sister/ Cousin
2. Aunt
*twitch
Black Raven,
I get that, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel rushed to me. Last time we saw her she was in the HoBaW, and then she showed up in the Twins. It’s not that I can’t imagine what happened inbetween and how much time passed, rather that it wasn’t set up narratively. This was the revenge we have wanted for 3 seasons, and it is one short out-of-the-blue scene that explains nothing (how did she kill two main Freys and cut them up without anyone noticing, where did she learn how to make pies and why did no-one notice the new girl in the kitchen …?). I think a narrative setup would have made it much more satisfying and a lot less random.
I most certainly do. Jon was raised as Stark and THEY don’t marry within the family that I am aware of. Also I think once Danaerys finds out that Jon is her nephew, she is either going to be very combative at a rival or be very happy for having another family member alive. Sansa and Jon are half brother and sister, they aren’t going to marry
What is with this “thing” to want to “ship” everyone on the show? I don’t get it.
What is Jaime going to do now that his sister has gone batshit Cray Cray?
Where is arya headed next?
What about brienne and pod?
Gendry?
I’m losing my mind, folks!!!
10 MORE MONTHS???
I Can’t do it!!!!
Tyrion is the key to all of this, if we can get him working. Because he’s a funnier character than we’ve had before.
But seriously, are there any major characters other than Davos and Melisandre that Tyrion hasn’t met in person? He did blow up Davos’ ship, so there’s that.
A Man Grown,
Arya? I know he was around at winterfell when Robert asked Ned to be his hand. But I don’t remember them meeting up. I could be so wrong about this though.
Longfinger,
Well yeah, you might be able to say the same about Brienne (both were at the Purple Wedding), but I’m kinda assuming he may have met offscreen any character who was in the same place as him at a time like that. The most extreme example of that: Jon and Sansa never never exchanged a word of dialogue until season 6.
A Man Grown,
In any case, I agree with you wholeheartedly… Tyrion is THE key. He has pretty much kept true to himself, and look where he has ended up so far! I probably just jinxed it…. Damn
I was sad to see Marg go, but at least Tormund and Jaime survived the season, so I’m glad.
Do you guys think Arya will try to help Edmure? And why was she eye fucking Jaime? I mean, I would have done the same, but I wondered.
Speaking of Jaime, I can’t wait to see how things will go down with him and Cersei.
Are the Tyrells really over? I mean, weren’t all of these women surrounding Margeary her cousins?
Superb finale. Now we have ten months of speculation before seeing shit get real.
I just remembered. When arya had that face of the serving girl on….wasn’t she flirting with Jaime? Do you guys think it was to just to act like a silly girl, or was there something else to it? Not romantically, but something else?
Ha-ha! Like minds!
I assume she wanted to lure him somewhere without witnesses to kill him. When Jaime talks to Walder he looks over to her and she smiles at him, never taking her attention off him.
I will miss you, Margaery Tyrell.
Also, I forgot to say, but Arya went full Titus Andronicus on the Freys. Amazing.
umuckurlife,
Thank you! I’m looking forward to writing them already. The episode left us a gamut of possibilities. And for the sake of enduring the long dark night, that’s about all we could ask for.
didi,
I see your point, but the TV series has to compress things into a limited time scale and can’t waste time describing how characters arrive at ‘such a such’ a place, somehow manage to blend into strange surroundings without being detected and so forth.
With a lot of events in GoT, the show runners leave that up to the viewers to come to their own conclusions and not have to ‘spoon feed’ them with insignificant pieces of information.
In the case of Arya, she told Jaqen in the HoBW she was not a ‘No One’ – was Arya Stark of Winterfell and going home. The next time we see her is at The Twins, serving ‘Fray Pie’ to Walder and then assassinating him… I have no problem with that 🙂
I’m not a book reader, but would not be surprised if GRRM goes into copious amounts of detail in his novels describing how his characters travel around (or in the case of Arya), manage to kill Walder Frey’s sons, work in the kitchen and butcher them without being detected and how they end up in a meat pie! 🙂
As a side issue – This also may well explain the reason why GRRM take’s so bloody long writing his books; tomes of a 1000+ pages, which TBH I wouldn’t have the patience (or the interest) to read in any case.
He’s a brilliant author without doubt, but if from day one he had cut out all the dross, all the irrelevant stuff and reduced the character count to a manageable level (not the 2000+ or so which I believe are in the ASOIF novels) he would have completed the story years ago.
HBO’s Game of Thrones can’t go on forever and certainly can’t wait for GRRM to get off his ass and finish off the remaining ASOIF novels! He may finish TWoW this year, but ADoS I’d be very surprised if he finishes. The HBO series will have finished his story long before that get published (if ever).
Black Raven,
I read Cogman’s several tweets explaining this issue – poor guy, his explanations are clear and logical, but people keep complaining. He’s got amazing patience with this. If it were me, well, lets just be glad its not 🙂
Well, they made me allright with burning Westeros to ashes and letting it freeze afterwards. The only decent family is gone, Margaery is gone…
Gotta say I felt with Tommen there.
Cercei just can’t be punished enough, ever, for her crimes. Sansa gets away with the slaugher from last episode with one “Sorry, I should have told you.”
So… let them all burn. And then let the White Walkers take all the land.
That said, it was a wonderful episode. Sapochnik truly knows his craft (take that as my backing of him directing as many episodes as possible).
Surprisingly many predictions were right about this season: it was widely believed both Margaery and Tommen would die. Also that Arya would get Walder Frey. And that the season will end with Daenerys sailing to Westeros at last. (No Wall crumbling though, at least not yet.)
It ended up being a sad season as well: Doran (the second good Dornishmen after Oberyn) died, Wun Wun died, Blackfish died, Roose Bolton died, Margaery died, Summer died (I mean the literal meaning here), Shaggydog was discovered as dead.
I guess only one left rooting for is the Night King at this point. “Long may he reign!”
didi,
I think it would have been boring, and dragged out an already jam packed show. She learned alot in her travels: I was not surprised at all that she could hide in plain site and find a way to kill the sons and deal with them. I knew she had a list, she had motive, and she had skills – didn’t need to know much more, just enjoyed the daylights out of the scene!
Stargaryen,
I think she was getting his attention, to perhaps draw him out later, and I think he was looking at her like he knew her from somewhere (sort of like his father did when she was his server at Harrenhal)
ash,
Yep, I agree… I feel sorry for Cogman! I find it incredible how viewers/fans will quibble and whinge over things like this! I say just enjoy GoT as it is and take it at face value 🙂
Was Jaime on Arya’s death list? I recall Cersei and the Mountain was – Ilyn Payne also, but he disappeared ages ago. I think most of the others have been killed off in the series now?
Arya has always been a quick learner? Not only from Jaqen and her time at the HoBW or with her sword master Syrio Forel in Kings Landing, but also from Yoren way back in S2E03 who gave her the idea of making a death list.
I still roll up at the story (and occasionally watch the You-Tube clip) when Yoren told her about Willem who murdered his brother. Especially the part when Yoren says: “I would think of him when I was working, when I was drinking, when I was having a shit etc”. Great stuff written by B&W and not in the books so I heard 🙂
He cant restore the dynasty if Dany can’t have any children. I wonder how that will play out.
That was a mind-blowingly good finale to a very solid season – well done D&D to successfully go beyond the books! And kudos to the actors and everyone else involved for further raising the standards of television. One shout-out in particular for the final episode to Ramin Djawadi – that Red Keep music was haunting and beautiful in equal measures.
I am left with some existential questions though:
(1) Will we see the faith militant as the new army of R’hlorr and Margaery as the ultimate Red Priestess?
(2) What do dragons eat when they’re out at sea? Dolphins or whales?
(3) Will we see the nonexisting bumping against the decrepit next season? (Varys + QOT)
(3b) Will we see the nonexisting bumping against the decrepit next season? (Theon + Dany)
Arya learned much from Hot Pie. She did not give up on the gravy. It is known.
Varys went off on his mission saying “we need ships” the scene at the end had Dorne suns on the some of the sails.. he made an alliance with Dorne and sailed their fleet across to bolster Dany’s own.. that’s why there were so many ships at the end. Watch it again, you can definitely see Dornish ships in the fleet.
They could of shown a conversation with Ellaria and Varys talking about taking the fleet over.. but I guess they didn’t think it was necessary.
Ser Not Appearing in this Series,
She probably added there remain to the pie mix for the cook to make? I don’t think she made it herself.
I’ve never been convinced that Dany can’t have more children. Mirri Maz Duur said what she did but she was intent on being as cruel as possible. Besides these witch types have been wrong before….
Not that I see Jon and Dany getting together romantically as happening anyway
Sacred Lime,
Maybe Hot Pie got a transfer to the Twins 😉
didi,
The events leading up to what Arya did don’t bother me. I don’t need to know how she carved them up and how she learnt how to make pies. I think this is part of the magic. Jaquen Hagar was very stealth when he killed her three kills in season 2. No difference here.
At least they gave us a recap of her list back in episode 3 or 4 and she made sure to mention walder frey.
I wonder if she can always use a face? That’s scary. She can be anyone. I love her.
ash,
its fucking ridiculous
Sacred Lime,
it wasn’t
some people need things spelt out for them.
its so obvious varys returned with ships.
Ser Not Appearing in this Series,
Yeah, maybe Hot Pie wrote down a couple of recipes for her, she used her initiative and swapped the ingredients. hehe
Dee Stark,
Yeah, in my mind the whole re-birth of Meereen took a few months, Varys got to Dorne sent word to Tryion that he had secured the Dornish fleet. That gave Dany time to paint sails make a cool gold dragon for the front of some of the ships. Varys turns up they board and set sail for Westeros.
During these months Arya travels back to Westeros, and makes her way to the Twins for revenge.
I don’t see what the problem is.
Blanche Holstein,
Because the crown officially backing FM which means if you attack FM, you attack the crown. This is the reason why tyrell army did not attack FM.
I’m sad that Marg died.. Natalie Dormer is one of my faves! One of the reasons I started watching the show…But Seriously, an amazing episode!! Need to do a re-watch ASAP.
Sacred Lime,
It’s ridiculous. The show has been doing timejumps since season 1. It has to when they are working with a vast world as this one.
Not a big deal but kinda odd… the pic in this article of Arya cutting Walder Frey’s throat is not how it looked on the show… I just re-watched again and the camera angle and lighting was completely different. The still picture image was not in the episode. Was that an HBO promotional picture? Are they sometimes slightly different than what is actually shown in the episode?
Mista C,
At times, some of the photos are production stills that are shot while the show is being filmed. It’s not an uncommon occurrence. Last year we got one of Hardhome that didn’t match anything that was ever shown on-screen.
Thank you!
Yeah, you could well be right! I forgot about Hot pie and the gravy, hehe 😮
As you later mentioned, perhaps Hot Pie got a transfer and is now working at The Twins LOL 😀
The T dynasty is not over and does not need Dany : Jon is here now. And let’s not forget some theory. Won’t mention it because last time I tried to use spoiler thing, didn’t work…
I wouldn’t be worried about the Dragons’ diets. However how is it about their resting? It didn’t seem like they could actually land on any of the ships. Can they swim or rather float and rest (I believe we’ve seen Drogon dive and catch a fish on the way from Qarth, but not sure if that’s quite telling)? Or are they capable of such an effortless flight that they wouldn’t need resting? Or maybe they’ll keep moving to the shore every once in a while. That should be possible all the way toward Volantis or Lys from the ‘Bay of Dragons’.
There have been so many comments this season about it seeming rushed. Why, I wonder, didn’t they flesh out some of the stories more, so that there would be enough material for a full 10 episodes in series 7 and 8? Was it due to contracts given to some of the actors? Perhaps we’ll never know why series 7 and 8 are going to be so much shorter. I could understand if some of the episodes are going to be longer than previously.
Is it some sort of tech issue on my end, or hasn’t there been a single article here since this one was posted?
KG,
Just refresh the page or clear cache every once in a while. I learned to refresh the page on every visit to see new posts.