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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!
Welcome “Home” to the Wall, all thee of Unsulliedness. If you are one of the few that got any sleep last night, then congratulations are in order. Because… damn.
As a whole, it felt as if the entire Game changed last night and not just because of you know what.
Come along with a man, for before last night, we were all stricken with some level of blindness. But the picture has become somewhat clearer even as the water may be muddier than ever.
I’ll start by saying this…
There is no television programming that has ever affected me on this level. Even with no palpable action sequence, this episode literally had me on the edge of the couch while attempting to not spill the essential adult beverage. This episode alone was well worth the cost of an entire month of HBO. Call me a fanboy or whatever. I really don’t give a shit.
Pyke in the opening credits! Let’s go…
Beneath the Tree
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After a season devoid of the Traveling Hodors, we catch up with a more mature Bran and a new, better-groomed three-eyed raven in Max von Sydow (the Force Awakens anyone?). Bran and Max are in the middle of a warg session taking place in a flashback featuring young Ned, Benjen, Lyanna, and Wyllis??
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The flashback was reminiscent of scenes from the North we had seen before (Jon and Robb training Bran, Jon reminding Olly to keep his shield up, etc.). However, the question on most of our minds after it ended was most likely how Hodor ever stopped saying anything more than “Hodor” and if he could potentially speak again.
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The flashback gave the viewer a glimpse of Lyanna Stark. Her emergence as well as her name in past episodes leads us to believe that her significance will become more evident in episodes to come. If you are aware of the theory by some of our Unsullied readers (and considering what happens at the end of this ep.), this was not inserted by accident. The writers could have easily depicted sparring between Ned and Benjen and left it at that. But they didn’t.
It may have also served as another reminder of the significance of Benjen Stark, making us wonder if we will ever learn of his fate.
The Raven reminds Bran that remaining in that state for an extended amount of time will lead to “drowning”, reinforcing what Jojen said to Bran about staying “under” too long. The length of time allowed for warging seems to be a point of interest we need to remember.
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Outside, Meera Reed is bored with the whole process. But one of the children explains to Meera that Bran won’t always be stuck under a tree and that he will eventually need her.
The Wall
Back at Castle Black, time has run out on the Thorne patience meter and he calls out Davos and the rest of the Jon defenders. For a moment, it looked as if we would get to witness Davos swinging Longclaw. But instead, we got Wun Wun swinging a Crow leaving an imprint of Crow skull on a brick.
As a result, the remaining mutineers were led to the cells setting up time at the end for the second coming.
Kings Landing
Important note: if you want to brag about the size of your schlong to your buddies and the acknowledgement it supposedly received from the former queen, make sure she is not protected by the jolly purple giant.
Cersei and Frankenmountain proceed to the Sept for the funeral of Myrcella but are stopped by Tommen’s guards on his orders.
In the Sept, Jaime and Tommen have a heart-to-heart about Tommen’s failures. Jaime urges Tommen to visit his mother. Tommen agrees as the High Sparrow enters. Jaime and the Sparrow converse about the events in KL. But Jaime’s confidence is quickly rattled when he is surrounded by members of the faith militant. It becomes apparent that the Sparrow aims to stand his ground.
Coming soon: UFC 2,184 The Lion vs. the Sparrow: Showdown at the Sept.
Meereen
Tyrion holds a meeting of the minds with Varys, Grey Worm (sporting a new outfit), Missandei and half of a carafe of wine.
After the issue of the captive dragons not eating comes up, Tyrion builds up enough liquid courage to enter the dungeon himself in an attempt to release the dragons from their chains. And it works.
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It is unclear exactly why the dragons didn’t see the need to chargrill Tyrion, but his knowledge of dragon behavior patterns definitely benefitted him. Maybe he knew they were unlikely to eat him since they wouldn’t eat at all. And if the dragons are as intelligent as he believes, you would have to think that his rapport with him will be positive as they will be able to identify him as the man that released them from their chains.
Braavos
In a brief scene from underwearless Titan land, Arya once again suffers a Waif bludgeoning while remaining blind. Shortly thereafter, a man appears to make sure that she understands that she is, in fact, no one and leads her back presumably to the House of Black and White.
It seems that Arya’s punishment is nearing its conclusion. I’m sure Maisie’s eyes will appreciate it.
Winterfell
Meanwhile in Winter’s Hell, Roose, Ramsay, and a member of the Karstark clan are informed by the maester that Walda has given birth to a baby boy. And all of a sudden, Roose is fucking dead. Karstark is apparently in on the scheme as he appears indifferent. The maester was not.
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Ramsay then lures Walda and the baby into the kennel leading Ozzette to promptly cover her eyes. Apparently, Myranda was not very filling.
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Ramsay protecting his claim as the heir by killing Roose was not necessarily an unforeseen occurrence. But I sure as hell didn’t think it would come that swiftly. McElhatton had been such a fantastic portrayer of Roose Bolton. And while he was a character that undeniably deserved to die, it is still hard to accept that James Bond Bolton is gone forever.
Snowy Woods
Brienne tells Sansa that she has seen Arya and that she looked good at the time (although she was not dressed like a lady).
Theon asks for a horse and says goodbye to Sansa for fear that Jon will kill him when they get to Castle Black. He then tells Sansa that he is going home. More on this below…
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Iron Islands
Wow! A stormy night at Pyke brings with it the return of Yara and Balon Greyjoy, two players that I wasn’t sure we would ever see again.
Yara and her father engage in a dispute about Theon and how trying to hold more ground on the mainland is pointless.
As Balon exits, he is met on a bridge by his brother, a man presumed to be dead and does a notable impression sounding a lot like Theon. The brother states that a new ruler is needed and Balon takes one hell of a dive to meet the Drowned God. Of course, this guy says that he IS the Drowned God, so maybe Balon already knew him and didn’t know it. Or this new guy is nuts.
By the way, I am aware that this new person is Euron Greyjoy, even though I never caught mention of his name during the scene.
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Balon’s killer remains a mystery to the rest of the Ironborn, and Yara vows to take revenge. But she is informed that just because Balon died, it does not make her the ruler. This also marks the death of the final named leech from the fire of Stannis and Red Velvet.
With Theon heading home, does this set him up to take his fathers place?
And here we go…
Back to the Wall, and Davos finds Mel (necklace attached) sitting by a fire and questioning her religion. Davos asks her for help with Jon inquiring about magic and resurrection.
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Since Davos is so good at being Davos, he coerces Velvet into attempting to bring Jon back.
Velvet seems insecure about what she is trying to accomplish, and at first, appears to be unsuccessful. As everyone files out, there is nothing. Even a sleeping Ghost remains unmoved, until…
Long dramatic pause for effect, and you know the rest.
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I think we all knew that nothing made sense if he didn’t, but he did. Jon has risen, and now the rumors can die.
Episode 602 Personal Awards
Favorite Quotes:
“I’ve never been much a fighter. Apologies for what you are about to see.” –Davos
“She sees it and I swear to God she licks her lips.” –that drunk guy in every bar in the world bragging about his pecker
“Sigh of relief”- the guard who didn’t have to fight Frankenmountain
“Oh, the Gods won’t mind. They’ve spilled more blood than the rest of us combined.” –Jaime
“We have no names, no family. Every one of us is poor and powerless. And yet together, we can overthrow an empire.”-High Sparrow
“That’s what I do. I drink and I know things.” –Tyrion
“Don’t eat the help.” –Tyrion to the dragons
“Next time I have an idea like that, punch me in the face.” –Tyrion
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Favorite Sentimental Moment: Tommen and Cersei,
Ow, That Shit Hurts Award: Wun Wun ties with the Mountain for their head bashing skills.
Jackass Award: No doubt Ramsay takes it again (for those keeping score at home, he is catching up with Thorne) not only for taking out one of my faves, the Roose, but for eliminating Walda and the baby by way of a kennel. What a piece of shit pie. Bolton banners; the battle in the snow; his day is coming.
Overall Thoughts: I just don’t how it can get more intriguing. Yes, the resurrection of Jon was likely. And the death of Roose was inevitable. But even still, Game of Thrones can leverage what you think you know into something you didn’t see coming.
I suppose none of us knew exactly how Jon would come back, or if Velvet was even capable of making it happen. I always thought it would link back to the Brotherhood and it would be Thoros saving his ass. But the link is there, for if it were not for Mel witnessing the resurrection of Beric, then the remote possibility may have escaped her.
In a sense, it feels as if this episode turned a corner in the entirety of the playbook, and not just because of Jon.
What say you, guys and gals? Lots to discuss. What a freakin’ episode. Bring on next week! 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
Wyllis!
Donnie,
Damn you beat me to it!!!
The more I rewatch the resurrection scene, the more it grows on me. Very simple: just a man and his wolf <3. I'm glad Ghost wasn't sacrificed. Apparently, the thing Jon loved most was his hair 😛 (Just like Robb said in season 1 lmao).
Jaws are gonna hit the floor when Jon walks out of that room. I can't wait to see how Thorne and that potato Olly are going to react. Mel will freak out too lmao. I need all the reactions!!!!
Flayed Potatoes,
You think he will just stand up and walk? Sure he is alive but he still has those stab wounds. Must hurt terribly.
I watched this episode twice last night!
once during the premier on HBO of course, and again at 11 on hbo Go
Really brilliant episode, up there with some of my favorites.
UnJon is fucking ripped.
Also, the Theon and Sansa scene …. made me cry?? I don’t know whether because of how bittersweet it was, or because it was three in the morning, but still. S6 has been far more emotional and enjoyable than I thought it would be.
The instant Lyanna came onscreen, I knew it was her, I am currently at maximum hype there.
Hodor is Wylis and he talks and fights and now I want to know what happened to him.
I was sad that Roose never even got to see his kid. Yes, I am that girl. I had to hide in the kitchen until my husband assured me the mauling itself was offscreen, and then rewound so I could watch. Like I said, that girl.
Sansa smiling at Brienne’s description of Arya fills my heart with joy. Sansa and Theon making me cry.
Balon + Euron was epic. “I am the storm”.
Tyrion and the dragons was exhilarating. I wonder why they won’t leave the pit (for lack of a better word). I also have a theory about Tyrion which has been strengthed by the info in extras in the S5 DVD but that’s for another thread I think.
Carice is killing it this year. She’s never been this unsure of herself, or looked this disheveled in her appearance. I’m just wondering if Davos is ever going to find out about Shireen.
That was some great corpse acting by Kit. And then ghost perked up and we all collectively screamed. Jon Snow lives.
Epic episode. I don’t remember being as pumped for each of these episodes as I have been previously. Granted, I was a book reader-but even knowing what was coming, I still was not this pumped. I’m glad I’m not the only fully grown person with adult responsibilities that is this in love with a TV show.
Great post Oz!
I would put the final seconds of this episode neck & neck with the end of “Fire and Blood” for a Moment that Everything Changes for the protagonists. It was beautifully executed, and everything I was hoping for.
Great write up Oz 🙂
Sidenote, Mel needs to start stacking haste, or Jon needs to stop going AFK & accept the rez already….
Loved the episode too. We’re getting closer and closer to being on the same page, Oz.
And my favorite quote has to be “From Oldtown to Qarth, where they see my sails, they pray.” Bring it on Euron you crazy mofo. More please.
And the dragons are just HUGE.
Sansa smiling when thinking that Arya wouldn’t be dressed like a lady
Euron Greyjoy being awesome
Tyrion being funny as fuck
Jaime going to the dark side
Jon Snow finally back
I’m happy.
best quote from next episode:
Bran: “Whatchu talkin’ bout, Willis?”
Re: your comment on why the dragons didn’t eat Tyrion:
Because 1 minute before that they discussed that the dragons are NOT eating. So why would they eat him? Also, he just talked about how intelligent they were and they know who their enemies are and will not eat Tyrion.
It made lots of sense.
Great recap Oz, as usual 🙂
This episode was by far my favorite episode after Hardhome and the WOTW. Lets not forget that this episode didn’t even need a big battle to be so amazing. The entire episode was brilliant and captivating and cannot wait to watch again.
I too was very emotional during the Tommen Cersei scene and Sansa w/ Bri and Theon.
Sansa’s smile when she talked about Arya not dressing like a lady was just so sweet…. considering they didn’t get along much last time they were together. I have chills thinking about it. Same with the Theon and Sansa goodbye.
The killings of Roose and Balon were shocking to me, though I knew they were both coming, didn’t think they would happen yesterday.
Ramsay’s killing of Roose was perfection, just like Roose killed Robb.
I need Ramsay dead, ASAP.
Also – I am not happy at all with the mention of the Umbers backing the Boltons. Last we knew, Rickon was heading there. This concerns me, a lot. I really don’t feel like having another Stark captive with Ramsay – I am sooooooooooooo over that.
Oh, that bridge scene was sick with Balons weird Bro.
The flashback was sooooooooooooooo fun to watch. Just like Bran, I was like nooooooooo I wanna see more. Seeing Lyanna confirms RLJ for me. Just saying. I just loved that scene. I want to see more.
Didn’t expect Arya’s punishment to end that quickly… how does she prove herself to be no one? Thought it was too easy, but hey, I aint complaining.
As usual, all the wall scenes are my favorite 🙂
Tormund is the SHITTTTTTT.
The resurrection was EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. For one second, I thought Ghost was going to die and Jon was going to live. I was sh&&&ing my pants lol. Then when Ghost woke up. I knew. And I was sooooooooooo happy to see the strong wolf connection. MY GOD that was everything. Cannot wait to watch again.
Honestly, 10/10 for this episode.
BTW, my shih tzu almost had a heart attack barking at all the mean dogs.
Great article as always Oz! I too am reading everything with very weary, tired eyes. Kept replaying and rethinking everything. EVERYTHINg! This episode was packed!! I am thinking mayb the dragons sort-of knew Tyrion could possibly have some known bloodline? Mayb why he wasn’t dinner for them, because you they had to be hungry. Theon and Sansa made me cry! He deserved that hug. So excited for Euron, he’s gonna be BAD!? Ramsey is just awful! And Jon Snow! I loved Mel got to do that ritual beforehand with the washing of his body….that body!?? And no she didn’t……she CUT his hair! I was more shocked at that than his resurrection! And I seriously cannot wait until Sunday to see him walk out and the expressions on everyone’s face! Jaws will drop as did mine so many times last night! I hate wishing my life away for the next Sunday to hurry up and get here, but what is a couple of months!
Great episode. Gray Worm got a new outfit? Jorah needs a new shirt, he’s been wearing the same one for years.
Rella,
If they were hungry, they would be eating, and they just discussed in the prior scene with Greyworm and Co that the dragons are NOT eating.
I like the parallel between the resurrection ritual and the faceless men ritual performed on dead bodies, washing the body and the hair. Thought that was interesting.
Kit Harington reacts to Jon Snow revival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxHYilJraVw
Dee,
True.
They also noted how they never attacked Missandai and Tyrion says Dragons are very smart.
Tyrions decision is clearly a mix of emotion and reason.
He needed to release the Dragons, true but he also wanted to see them up close. Just listen how sad he is when he tells that story.
Also when he gets back to Varys it finally sets in how crazy it was what he just did. Like an adrenaline junkie, he liked the feeling but afterwards he realized that he could’ve died if he was not careful.
Next weeks ratings are going to explode.
Mihnea,
yeah, I really don’t understand how some people are saying “how come the dragons didn’t eat tyrion”. LOL
I know, I loved that scene, his story, everything. and the second dragon turning his head to undo the chains. YES!!!!!!!
This was one of the best episodes of the series.
The scene at Winterfell with Ned, Benjen, Lyanna and Wyllis was great! Really curious what happened to Wyllis. Hopefully they will tell us at some point. And yes Lyanna seems to have e certain significance.
And I really loved it that Sansa learned from Brienne that Arya is alive! This together with her knowledge about Bran and Rickon and the return of Jon there is hope for the Starks again.
Loved the scene of Tyrion and the Dragons.
Really looking forward to what’s going to happen in Kings Landing and the Iron Islands.
Ramsay needs to die!
Jon is back and I really liked how they kept the scene of his resurrection small.
Great recap as always Oz!
Flayed Potatoes,
LOL at Olly yelling like an idiot charging at Tormund, I laughed my ass off.
JustanotherSchemer,
He got up just fine in the preview idk 😛
Connor,
Me too! And when he was taken away like Joffrey after getting hit with a cow pie…. hilarious!!
Matthew The Dragon knight,
Reading the review on The Atlantic site you would think last nights episode was trash and the future of the series is doomed, i could not disagree more. loved nearly every second of last nights episode (only average parts were the scenes in pyke but even those werent bad).
Dee,
LOL! Even Oz couldn’t understand why the dragons didn’t eat Tyrion? And Oz is a smart man! LOL!!
i find your point about “time spent warging” very interesting.
the three eyed raven says that bran will never walk, but he will fly. could bran get overwhelmed by warging into one of the dragons? will he lose himself doing so?
I did hear everything that was said and it was my thought that maybe the dragons could sense something about Tyrion. They were hungry, I could see not eating Missandei, they know her, but they don’t know Tyrion. It was just a thought and I thought this is what fans can do on this site……express their thoughts. Just as you have and not be ridiculed for it.
johnny braavos,
I always thought that “you will fly” meant he will warg into a dragon, and I still think he will, for a short time of course.
But I think you will fly means exactly what he is doing. He is going back in time… and he is seeing visions. He is flying.
This has to be my favourite episode of all. I’ve always been a supporter of House Stark and to watch that family murdered or torn apart for season after season left me constantly wanting to see that somehow the story would turn around eventually and bring hope for the Starks! Finally it happened!!! Yay! Almost every scene left me feeling hugely excited in anticipation of what’s to come next.
Bran empowered, Sansa not only free but with the mighty Brienne at her side and heading for the Wall, Ayra actually reaching a point where she may get back control of her life and not be stuck sweeping floors (I’d got very bored with her being stuck in Braavos going nowhere) then Jon being brought back to life!!!
Rella,
I am not ridiculing your thoughts. I was responding.
But theres that they know missandei, as he was saying, and they are intelligent so they don’t know tyrion, but they know he is on their side.
Rella,
LOL!!!! I know… I just thought it was explained perfectly in the prior scene – don’t get me wrong, I WAS on the edge of my seat………. worried.
Rella,
actually I agree it’s weird that the dragons didn’t attack. We’ve seen on the show that they attack for reasons more than hunger. They snap at literally anyone who isn’t Daenerys, or someone by her side.
Don’t forget the wine! If he were sober I’m not sure he would’ve gone through this so easily.
Sue the Fury,
Thanks Sue!?
The dragons didn’t kill Tyrion because they’d decided to take him to a cock merchant instead.
so “Bran needing Meera” is code for Bran will need something to eat so he will “need” you. Must be nice to have a personal butler (Hodor/Wyllis), personal teacher (3 eyed Jedi) and personal chef lol.
Sue. I don’t know, I now see Tyrion = to the Dragon Whisperer. The Cezar Milan of the times. He was calm, he spoke soothingly and approached with a bit of confidence, calm/assertive. He has been paying attention. 😛
I know I am sick, but am I the only one who thought this:
http://i.imgur.com/4UJ32Sr.jpg
When Walda and baby became Alpo?
Fantastic episode and I can’t get enough, watched it twice already and going for a third the moment I am home from work. Also I don’t think we know yet HOW FLC Jon Snow was rezzied. I think there is a twist and it will be surprising.
Wyllis, there is a reason he is Hodoring about. I wanna know.
Oz Thank you as ever for your measured and well considered post. I love this thread, it is much more reasonable thinking than others. *nods*
#BranEatsMeera,
”Eats Meera” This can end in 2 ways….
Sue the Fury,
I can remember them snapping at yunkai masters and other than that I don’t think they have snapped at anyone who is with dany ..
We have examples of jorah dany’s blood riders amd her handmaidens and missandei ,ser barristan and BBp..
Dee,
And they are not eating since dany left …remember the theories about how they must be angry at her only to see they are not eating since she is lost and worry about her ..and tyrion needs to be introduced as a friend of their mother ..
I just hope they fly to vaes dothrak and reunite with their mother.
“Hodor” = “I am Groot”
Any example?
I only remember the dragons being aggressive towards people when Daenerys wanted them to be. But I could be remembering wrong?
ROFLMAO!! *wipes eyes* Thanks for that laugh. I wish I had thought of it.
lack of valarian steel theory….. the lack of valarian swords to combat the white walkers will be solved by taking apart the iron throne which is made of hundreds of them….me thinks?
zod,
agreed
I felt the same about poor Walda having to stand up, get dressed and go out to the court-yard just minutes after giving birth. That’s a pretty big deal, really. Of all the Freys I wanted to be gone, Walda was not particularly one of them. Walder won’t know what happened, really. Her death will be attributed to “Roose’s enemies.” I’m wondering who in particular those enemies will be named as? Who would he think did it? Will Walder feel the same about Walda dying as he did about his little wife in the RW? oh, I have more?
That being said, Jon gasping awake is something I keep watching over and over, like the scene of him smashing the WW in Hardhome. It never gets old and always makes me happy. It makes me smile to read that Kit actually wondered if people were going to miss Jon, or be upset about his untimely demise. I guess the 10 months of worldwide nagging, even Presidential curiosity, answered that for him.
Whoever did the CGI of Ghost did an exceptional job, imho. Usually it’s just Ghost looking menacing, but the scenes of him lying there peacefully, sleeping, with an occasional ear twitch tells me that whoever did this work fondly knows about the actions of big dogs. Ghost looked real, really really real. Yes Oz, I’m with you, no other show ever affected me this way. Sunday can’t come fast enough. Thanks for the great review.
LOL no, you are absolutely not. When I think of the show, I always kind of mentally preface the thought with “and I’m a full-grown person,” because I’m so in awe of the fact that it moves me as it does, and glad of the fact that you can still be moved by events once you are out of your twenties and thirties. … and beyond.
Okay, book readers? This is not the post for you.
The Unsullied don’t want to read your book-wanky, negative-nancy opinions. Please remove yourselves to the general recap post. Thanks.
Oh, and the dragons, loved the dragons. My, how they’ve grown. They were obviously eating before. So, if they’ve gotten that big in captivity, how much bigger will Drogon be? Big enough to scare the bitterness out of some old Dothraki widows I bet.
Don’t think it has been established that the Iron Throne has any swords of Valyrian steel in it?
Inspirational Ser Davos Seaworth was probably one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
“I’m looking for the woman who showed me miracles were real,” or however it was phrased.
Bless the Onion Knight.
The CGI so far has been seriously good, it always was but this feels even better
This whole resurrection business worries me. For some reason I don’t think it was melisandre that brought him back. Even though that is initially what I suspected would happen. It just feels too obvious for it to make sense. Given the fact that this is Game of thrones, there must be some sort of price for Jon’s second chance at life. Honestly it frightens me to think what the writers have planned.
This episode is up there with Hardhome as my fav episode from the season and it did not even need a huge fighting sequence.
Can’t wait to see what actually happened with Hodor and if Benjen or Lyanna was involved in this
Mark,
Well Beric did say in season 3 that the resurrections changed him, made him lose his memories and is less “himself”. That assumes that Jon’s revival came about as it looked – to be the same as Beric’s through Melisandre/R’Hllor.
If the dragons have some basis in reality they may not be eating because they are cold blooded and kept in a cool, dark place. Reptiles conserve energy and don’t do much if they don’t have heat. Tyrion seems to have had some of this figured out through what he has read but like in our Middle Ages they observed animals but didn’t exactly understand the reasons why they do things. TYrion understands they need to be outside.
I enjoyed seeing ‘Willis’, I cheered when Wun Wun ‘Wunn Wunned’ and I am relieved and pleased to see that sneaky fibber Kit Harrington back in his job (and ahem, nearly naked..) I did feel a bit underwhelmed by some of it, maybe I have been spoiled by spoliers? Maybe that ressurection WAS too simple and there is a price to pay as the poster above me said?
#BranEatsMeera,
She was actually referring to the wilderness outside the tree when saying that. Which if I’m not mistaken is the first time it’s been inferred that Bran will leave the Children and the Three Eyed Raven and not stay there forever like most assumed.
Also one subtle thing about the Euron/Balon scene that I loved. Balon had to keep grasping the rope bridge to keep his balance while Euron just stood there with his hands at his side. For a society so connected to the sea it shows that the leader of those people had lost his “sea legs” and thus his connection to his peoples culture.
Quiet discussion here – shocking because I expected a massive discussion considering how the episode ended.
Thronetender,
I cant wait to see that
Mark,
I agree with this. There’s something too simplistic about it, although Mel should have had an in-store credit at the Lord of Light supermarket thanks to Shireen. Surely her death was worth more than some melted snow.
They even snapped at Daenerys in The Wars to Come.
Tywin of the Hill,
Well, snapping is not eating… lol
one of the dragons was weary at first of who was approaching them
Tywin of the Hill,
Yeah that’s what I was thinking of.
An interesting write-up as ever, Oz. I’m glad to see Jon come back but I don’t think I’ll ever forgive Melisandre for what happened to Shireen.
Tywin of the Hill – Well she was the beatch who chained ’em up
I might not be able to remember everything, but I think we never saw anything that tells us that dragons even like to eat people. The only time we saw that was when Dany ordered the master to be executed. The child that was supposedly killed we never saw. Maybe the child was goat herding or something and accidentally got grilled along with the goats, or it was a fraud to get compensation.
All of the times we saw the dragons kill people it was on Danys command or to protect her.
I took this scene as showing us (the audience) that the dragons are smart. For the first time really, we got a closer look at them, and you could see real intelligence in their eyes – they were watching and listening to Tyrion. Perhaps they didn’t understand his words, but they were assessing him, understood he was not a threat, and even if he was they could take him out easily. The second dragon ‘demanding’ his own chain be removed is also proof of that. Loved that moment 🙂
I was flipping off my TV, I thought for sure they would end the episode before he came back to life.
Dee,
I guess everybody is just really happy right now and really savoring that feeling. As a GoT-fan we don’t get to experience that a lot after an episode. Most of the time we are crying our eyes out. Let us enjoy it while it lasts. Next week we’re probably asking ourselves again “Why do I keep watching?”. 🙂
Gee, I certainly hope JS finds some pants to put on before he goes traipsing thru the snow looking for his NW brothers. 😆
was anyone else bothered by Davos asking Melisandre to revive Jon Snow? I mean I get that the writers needed a way to get to that point, but really? first of, why would Davos ever even think of ressurection as an option? second, why would he want Jon Snow ressurected? that part just screamed lazy writing to me.
obviously it doesn’t go down like that in The Winds of Winter, since Davos is nowhere near the wall, so I don’t understand why they didn’t just ask GRRM for what Mel actually did.
Thronetender,
The wolves are real, aren’t they? Not CGI.
They use footage of real wolves and render it into the scene. So Ghost waking up and twitching in his sleep was a real wolf.
Or am I completely wrong about that?
Great episode!!!!
Im playing giveaway on HBO Croatia.
For new episode 3 we got new 3 questions to bet on page so help me with your opinions.
1.Will Tommen set his face against Faith Militants? Y N
2.Can Arya convince Jhghar that she became no one? Y N
3.Will Jon Snow PUNISH his killers? Y N
All questions are related only with episode 3. Thats why i think Arya will become no one later. For first questions im not sure. What if Tommen dies next episode?
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
yes, you’re completely wrong. they’re using a dog, not a wolf.
sophie turner actually got to adopt the dog that played lady, for instance.
1. Yes, or at least I think Jaime will in Tommen’s name.
2. My answer would be based on filming spoilers, so I can’t answer that in this thread.
3. Yes, probably.
Thanks, as always, for the great recap, Oz!!!
Nymeria Warrior Queen,
Quite welcome, Nymeria. And all of you kind souls who put up with a man.
Thronetender,
Ditto. But age has little to do with enjoyment of GOT. It has to do with age old storytelling. People gathered around the fire and told stories to each other long before. So its not unusual that all of us would be hooked on this story that is told so well.
PS. I was chatting today with one of the young men who drives me to PT every week. He’s also in love with GOT, but then started talking about Dune, one of my favorites when I was his age. That book is what started getting me hooked on sci/fantasy. I suspect GOT, both books and show, will do that to a new generation
thorne garnet,
Need to see more Jorah
bufkus,
Actually, it turns out I’m right.
I was pretty sure of this anyway, but I was thrown by Thronetender suggesting they were CGI created by the effects team.
Anyway, a couple of searches reveal that, although you’re right about the direwolves in the first season being Mahlek Northern Inuit Dogs, the larger direwolves we’ve been seeing in later series are indeed real life wolves, filmed and then digitally upsized and superimposed onto the scenes.
The wolf that plays Ghost is called Quigly (or Quigley, according to another article on the subject).
http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/03/24/game-of-thrones-welcomes-back-albertas-own-quigly-otherwise-known-as-ghost-the-direwolf
Atish Vaze,
I suspect that Wyllis was kicked or injured by a horse, given he was a stable boy…perhaps too simple and probably more to the story
Ghost is an actual Artic Wolf. There is an article about that and his scenes were filmed in Alberta, Canada. The direwolves from Season 1 where dogs but season 2 and on they been using actual wolves
edit: referenced above
Stargaryen,
I thought I saw some wistfulness there….about her sister. I’m afraid Arya may not have fond memories of Sansa.
Berrick: Second time I’ve been killed by a Clegane. You’d think you’d learn.
Thoros: It’s not getting any easier, you know.
Berrick: I know. Every time I come back, I’m a bit less. Pieces of you get chipped away.
bufkus,
No they use Canadian wolves now in calagary
Leaf did say something about Bran wouldn’t be there forever and that is why he needs her. So apparently he physically leaves the cave at some point which is a bit of a surprise as most though he would become the next Three Eyed Raven and basically be stuck in the cave.
bufkus,
Ramsay’s 20th Good Man,
Thronetender,
Ghost is a real wolf. Canadian! 🙂
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/game-of-thrones-casts-alberta-wolf-as-jon-snow-s-canine-companion-1.3078253
Tywin of the Hill,
Sue the Fury,
Actually they also snapped at dany in Two swords and Dance of the dragons ..
I dont think we can count dany in this after all they did feel for their mother hence they are boycotting to eat since their mother was lost .
Other than that I can only think of them snapping and scaring the master of yunkai when he came to talk with dany in ” bear and maiden fair ” ..
So they have been friendly with doreah and irri and jorah and barristan and missandei..even darrio calls him as a friend last episode .
Lyanna_Targaryen,
I have the dvd…What commentary was that?
Rella,
THAT body!
I loved the episode, through and through.
Regarding the dragons eating Tyrion the question we should ask is not why they didn’t eat him, but rather why they didn’t kill him.
You can kill someone and not eat it. They are not eating, but clearly they can still kill.
That is exactly the most surprising moment for me of the whole episode…”he needs you our there” is what she said, right? Really interesting
Also it’s interesting that they left the Jon warging into Ghost theory open…at this point in time it can be either Mel, ghost or both that brought Jon back…If they wanted to make clear that was Mel Jon would have returned with her still on the room. I love it
Sue the Fury,
It’s implied that Daenerys’ escape from Meereen made them depressed. And it’s also entirely possible that they finally finished puberty and their time in the dungeons humbled them. I would guess Drogon is still a raving maniac at this point though.
I thought the dragons were really cute in this episode for giant weapons of mass destruction. Loved that scene.
Pau,
I think they’re just not in the mood. Seriously. Anyone who’s had a pet knows that animals have moods. Dany running off ignited it.
They’re not in the mood to kill Tyrion you mean?
I’m not sure that’s what the scene is all about…
Pau,
They have never killed a random person? Unless they were attacking Dany, them, or she asked them to kill a random person.
Killing the child in season 4 was an accident.
So I just don’t see why they would kill Tyrion
jentario,
omg especially when he bent over to have the chain removed. soooooooooo cute. I want one. lol
Kit Hairyton,
What makes me happy is, apparently, Kit shot the most scenes/was on set the longest out of all the characters. GAME OF THRONES FANS REJOICE YA!
When Theon refers to ‘home’, could he mean Winterfell? Perhaps he heads there to try to kill Ramsay.
AlexG,
It’s in the Histories and Lore “Dance of Dragons” animated sequence. I don’t want to comment more on here about it. If you can’t find it yourself, hit me up on Twitter and I’ll help 🙂
Jorah’s Mormont,
Yes, kicked or injured by a horse. That’s exactly my thought as soon as Old Nan said Wylis (the spelling according to closed-captioning) was a stableboy. And, if I was a betting person, I’d say that horse’s name was “Hodor”.
jentario,
I thought the details on the dragons was incredible. Amazing work by their VFX crew.
Quote of the episode was simply this:
“Please.”
That one word signified everything Mel was struggling with in her faith. She needed a sign that all was not in vain, that her life had meaning. Sadly, she left that room more broken than she was when she entered.
I think that small pleading quote will live on with me.
Carice, brilliant.
the fact that the dragons didn’t “chargrill” tyrion probably stems from the fact that they sensed he was a targaryan
Mushrakhi,
I also think that was the one word that actually did the trick. Thoros was totally out of faith, praying to a god he didn’t believe in, calling on powers he knew he didn’t have, just a desperate man trying to save his friend.
Mel gave it all up in that moment and showed true humility. Just a desperate woman wanting to do something good. It wasn’t the seven Asshai chants, it was the Please that ignited her power.
All been said by everyone here but can’t leave a comment, not so original and creative, just to ,eave a mark that I participated in this epic event called Game of Thrones by leaving a comment.
I have never been captivated by a single series this much. Maybe a long time back when I watched Twin Peaks, I felt the same kind of urge every week but this had more impact on me partly probably because I am a book lover and this came with epic master works by GRRM (I give the same amonnt of credits to the writer and people behind this TV show! Thanks!)
Anyway, I loved this season so much for two reasons:
1. Everyone is so everyone! Now we (or at least I) have been with these guys for 6 years now so unlike ‘know-nothing’ (not really lol) John Snow and maybe not as much as ‘drink-and-know-things’ Tyrion, know one or two things about each and every character (with the book knowledge, quite a lot, better than about not so close relatives! So we see when people act out of their characters (excluding the changes or new discoveries) and people are so like them. Theon is Theon (not Reek), Sansa is Sansa, and Ramsy is so Ramsy (I know he is just a figment of imagination but cannot help feeling love every time I use his name! Kudos to th actor!). I can’t wait to see more!
2. Then as everyone points out time and again, everything is building up and gearing up for a climax whatever that will be! At least from what we saw on the teasers, we have a big battle between team John Snow and Ramsy (and Karstark) and we can see some cornerstones in that direction. The genius of the creators is that I thought I foresaw what’s coming from reading and watching lots of information on this site or other webpage and YouTube posts but the scene I see from the path is so different from what I expected that I am so shaken and moved or I even doubt What I foresaw was right. I kind of share the same feeling of doubt (my gut tells me or my gut is being shaken) about what this path will lead to. And even if some people are right about some of their predictions about some of the story lines, there are so many story lines or small episodes that can be expanded into even one movie scattering here and there so it is like I am focusing on one big Star in a milky way and know some things about how and when it will end (still not sure and in the dark, though) but I can see so many other stars at the corner of my eyes and sometimes they shine in so alluring ways. So many foreshadows and good sidelines.
Well sorry my thoughts are not really well organized but the bottom line, I love this show more than any entertainment at this time or all time for that matter. For the next 8 weeks, watching the show and reading things and watching YouTube vids about the episode will be the center of my life. And I also like to give credits and a huge thanks to the owner of this site and other watchers on the wall! I can wait to see the winter is coming (or don’t wanna see, I’m no sure).
Jorah’s Mormont,
Hodor to that !