Game of Thrones Season Finale “Mother’s Mercy” Open Chat; plus the Hodor & Bran Figure winner announcement!

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Game of Thrones Season 5, Episode 10: “Mother’s Mercy”

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
Director: David Nutter
Runtime: 61 minutes
Content Warnings: TV-MA: Adult Content, Adult Language, Nudity, Graphic Violence
Synopsis: Stannis marches. Dany is surrounded by strangers. Cersei seeks forgiveness. Jon is challenged.
Video Preview: Episode 10 Preview on Youtube

Spoiler coding for standard book spoilers is still required in this Open Chat post prior to the episode’s official airing (9PM EDT tonight for Episode 10/the season finale). Please do not discuss leaked footage in this post at all. We have set up a separate post for fans who want to enjoy spoiler discussion including leaked content openly. Thanks!

As for the winner of the Hodor & Bran double-figure from Dark Horse…

Hodor and Bran

Our second Hodor & Bran giveaway (“Redux”) brought more enthusiastic participants from throughout the Game of Thrones fandom. This nine-inch-tall beauty can only be won by one of you today, in celebration of the finale tonight.

Everyone, please congratulate the winner….

Cersei’s Brain!

Well done. You’ve won a Bran-new Hodor, as you requested. We’ll be in touch.

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For everyone who hasn’t won yet, don’t despair- there’s one more opportunity. Tomorrow we’ll have another Hodor & Bran Dark Horse giveaway so stop by on Monday to chat about the finale and enter the contest.

Thank you to everyone who entered this weekend and again to Dark Horse for providing the prize.

Sue the Fury
Susan Miller, Editor in Chief of WatchersOnTheWall.com

571 Comments

  1. I bet a lot of people die. But at least we know Jon Snow will live because this show would never kill off all the best characters. That would be stupid.

  2. Thank you for giving me “Mother´s mercy” and unbanning me. 🙂

    Wasn´t there news of a tower location being used for this season somwhere on this site.

    We discussed it could be TOJ…

    I do not recall seeing a tower this season.

  3. Wow, it took TWO posts for someone to post a potentially major spoiler.

    In case people did not read the post:

    DO NOT POST LEAKED CONTENT IN THIS POST, INCLUDING THE EPISODE 10 ‘PREVIOUSLY ON’ VIDEO.

    YOUR POST WILL BE DELETED.

    You are welcome to have open discussion about this leaked content in the post linked HERE.

  4. WHY IS IT ONLY 61 MINUTES, LAST YEAR’S FINALE WAS SO LONG AND TWO STORYLINES HAD ALREADY CONCLUDED

    I’M SO EXCITED SO MUCH SHOULD HAPPEN

  5. How will Sansa escape? I am hoping she will try, fail, barricade herself into the crypts and look for a tunnel, and fail too. Bran & Rickon didn’t find one. Ramsey will break the barricades and try to grab her. She will cling on to Lyanna’s statue until it topples (onto Ramsey) revealing a Targ wedding cloak. A certain someone we thought dead will come up from the depths and show her the way down/out.

    Not a chance of that happening. But that is what speculation is about

  6. Can’t wait for this episode!!!

    Have not viewed any of the articles here on Watchers on the Wall for a week (Most Tough) as I didn’t want a chance to be possibly spoiled.

    Last week I saw members posting about the Shireen’s burning before the episode screened and it lost it’s dramatic impact when I knew it was coming.

    This week… Totally Unsullied

    though I do expect to see Cersei’s Walk of Shame

    🙂

  7. What im most curious about is how will Davos react to news of Shireen …

    Will he stay true to Stannis or join the Crows.

    I do not remember does Davos have any sons left alive in the TV show?

  8. Here Be Dragons,

    Is that wise? If you really want to remain unsullied there have been preview spoilers which some *!*! has ALREADY posted on tho ever thread and been deleted, so my advice is go for a long walk before the show instead.

  9. Hoyti Voñ Totiy,

    Oh yeah!

    Me too! I can’t wait to see how Davos reacts to that news.

    I really hope next season he confronts Stannis and trys to talk some sense into him, Stannis went from a hard man that was a little nuts (burning people even some relatives) but was respectable to a monster who burned his own daughter.

    How can Davos follow that kind of man?

  10. I’m so anxious about this episode (‘cuz bleak, man) that Maisie just tweeted a pic of her and Sophie and I’m thinking, “Is this suppose to mean something…bad?” Grrr…..

  11. Hoyti Voñ Totiy,

    IF that news arrives already it will be devastating to him. He will be lost and angry. But early next season Sansa may arrive with news of Bran and Rickon so he, Brienne and Pod can go off on a little road trip of their own to find the location of the lost Ark (or arc to be honest) in the form of a boy and a direwolf.

  12. Also, IMO Dorne has been the weakest link of all the location storylines.

    If somehow D&D can pull it all together and make the Dornish plot payoff pretty good, it’ll really save the Dorne portrayal this season.

    I just hope its not as silly as the watergarden scene or doesn’t involve the Sandsnakes playing slapsies.

  13. Alix the Direwolf:

    IF that news arrives already it will be devastating to him.He will be lost and angry.But early next season Sansa may arrive with news of Bran and Rickon so he, Brienne and Pod can go off on a little road trip of their own to find the location of the lost Ark (or arc to be honest) in the form of a boy and a direwolf.

    Why would tv-show Davos care about Rickon?

    In the books he is doing the find and rescue mission to gain support for Stannis.

    He (Davos) really has nothing to do now. They better NOT kill him off.

  14. Arthur,

    Dorne has been a waste of perfectly good screen time for other characters. The SSs have been shown to be 3×1 character, childish, poor fighters, idiot planners/thinkers and only good for one of them getting her tits out. If D&D now try to give them something clever to do it is too late and bound to fall flat. The most logical thing is that they rebel and Areo Hotah puts that axe to its proper use.

  15. I’m on pins and needles. This is the first finale where I have very little idea of what is going to happen.

  16. Hoyti Voñ Totiy,

    In the books Stannis has not murdered Shireen. But Davos is a good man who wants to save children …. at this point he could be persuaded to help ANY child as a form of contrition. At least it makes more sense than still following Stannis. He could take the Black, of course. I could see that too, but it seems duller than Ned’s political acumen.

  17. Alix the Direwolf,

    Haha, I can’t argue with you.

    Although absolutely beautiful (both the location and the actresses) that caged breast scene was the only scene I enjoyed. Mostly because it was done very erotically and also the tension of maybe witnessing Bronn die gave me a rather unusually and unique emotional experience.

    I LOVED the book SS and that exotic beauty Arianna (whatever her name was) but the TV show SS kind of fall short IMO.

    However, IMO, if D&D can pull off a meaningful climax it will salvage the SS for me.

  18. Davos is one of my favorite characters – book and show. Liam Cunningham has been brilliant. Hoping we get to see his reaction tonight – I’d hate to have to wait until next season.

    Also excited to see how they handle the Sansa story line. Ready to see it – not ready for it to be over!

  19. This finale has been shaping up as my most anticipated episode of the series since before Season 5 even began. Apart from a small handful of remaining plot points and logical inferences, I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen … and that’s thrilling!

    To be sure, this episode has a lot of material it needs to cover, and only 61 minutes to do it. Apart from Daenerys, Tyrion, and the rest of the characters in Meereen, no one has really arrived at a moment that feels like the natural endpoint for their season-long arc. But I’m hopeful that we’ll get resolution on all of the major storylines – particularly everything that’s happening in the North. And I’m very eager to see where certain storylines and characters will be left as we begin the long process of looking forward to Season 6. Starting next year, it’s all uncharted waters.

  20. Jillybean:
    Also excited to see how they handle the Sansa story line. Ready to see it – not ready for it to be over!

    Well she did not pick up that chekhov´a corkscrew for no reason.

    I just PRAY to god she uses it on someone more important than Myranda.

    Kill Roose, Ramsey or pregnant Walda….

  21. Here is my speculation based on the books(SPECULATION BASED ON THE BOOKS without any spoilers from the net which I´m not willing to see)

    I think the finale will have A LOT OF THINGS BUT I MEAN A REAL LOT OF THINGS, which is both good and bad, because great scenes may be ruined by controversial or not so great scenes. However, this is the list of things I think will happen, or at least would love to happen (in no particular order):
    Wall: -Sam´s departure, Pink Letter (highly doubt), FTW
    North:-Davos scene, Brienne does something, Boltons and Stannis do something, Sansa, Theon and Myranda do something PLEASE MAKE THE SANSA STORYLINE EPIC (NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT! EXCITING!)
    Dorne: -Sand Snakes scene (not that I love to but one of the actress said there was going to be crazy stuff), Doran´s reveal PLEASE!!!! IF DONE CORRECTLY I WOULD FORGIVE ANY BAD DECISION ABOUT DORNE. I MEAN WITHOUT THIS DORAN LOOKS RETARDED.
    KL: Cersei´s confession, WoS, Tyrell scene (Margeary hugging someone, shot from the trailer), Varys return PLEASE!!!
    Meereen and Dothraki Sea: Dany is found by khalasar (I want her to leave that pretty dress and become dirty and with burns), aftermath of Daznak´s
    Braavos: Arya changing her face for Meryn PLEASE!! and going blind PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Somewhere near the Iron Islands: Balon´s death and any hint about their brother´s or kingsmoot PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Riverlands or whereveryouwanttointroduceher: LSH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!! FINAL SCENE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    And I know half of this won´t happen as we only have 61 minutes ;(

    If most of the scenes mentioned, specifically those with the “please” happen and they nail it, I will forgive everything D&D for every single mistake or bad decision ever (until this point of the series).

    I really doubt:

    -Sam´s departure and Pink Letter, Varys return, Arya´s blindness, all about Iron Islands and LSH

    Most could be saved for season 6, as Varys return, Arya, Ironborn and Sam´s departure maybe? But If pink letter and LSH doesn´t happen, it will never happen. It´s their last opportunity for two really good moments.

  22. Also,

    I hope Jon

    sends Sam off to Old Town (like in the books) and he tells him to take Gilly with him and maybe she learns a skill there as well.

    I really think D&D need to get Gilly out of those rags and let her become a proper lady. It would be such a cool character development for her…

    Ohhh who am I kidding! I just want to see Hannah Murray.

    Are you guys aware how beautiful she is? I know she’s at the Nights Watch and its in her best survival interest to ugly herself up but damn, can she please get out of those rags someday before the show ends?

    At least Arya gets to change her outfit a few times…

    Anyways, rant over, I just think that Hannah girl is beautiful and if D&D can somehow make that reveal to the average TV viewer they will be like “DAMN THAT’S GILLY?” the same way I was when I saw her in a GoT interview, I was like “who is that!?!”…

  23. I love the feeling of not being sure what will happen. Sure, there are a couple of things I’m basically positive I’ll see, and I’m definitely looking forward to them, but it’s the things about which I don’t know that really have me chomping at the bit for the next 4 hours to go by quickly.

  24. My predictions for Episode 10 (written prior to leaks and not altered as a result):

    Braavos:
    Arya will get a new face and use it to kill Meryn Trant, posing as the “fresh” girl, ala Mercy. I’m not sure if “Jaqen” will authorize the hit or punish her for it, so she might be blinded as punishment or kicked out of FM.

    King’s Landing:
    Cersei confesses to all the sins except for treason, Robert’s murder and incest. She does the walk of penance and is rescued by Gregor Clegane, who is never referred to as Ser Robert Strong, because Gregor Clegane is not supposed to be dead. During her walk there will be surprise cameos / visions of dead characters such as Tywin and Ned (maybe Joffrey, though that would be creepy…).

    I think Kevan and Tommen will die this episode, but I don’t think Varys will do it and I’m not sure who will. Kevan’s death will put Cersei back in power and Tommen’s will pay off the prophecy from Episode 1. This may also be held out for next season, as I think a Sand Snake will kill Tommen in TWOW.

    Meereen:
    Dany will be somewhere in the Dothraki Sea (and maybe even Valyria) and the strangers she meets will be the khalasar from the end of her last chapter.

    Viserion and Rhaegal will be released somehow and begin the process of turning Meereen into a smoking hole in the ground. I don’t think Jorah will die releasing them, but it’s possible that he may be involved in the “escape” plot. Daario is another candidate for the Quentyn treatment.

    We’ll learn something about the motives of the SotH beyond driving Dany out. I think Yunkai is somehow calling the shots behind the attacks.

    Winterfell:
    Pure guess here, but I think Stannis will begin his attack on Winterfell, but the battle is actually won within Winterfell when Sansa, Theon (who goes by that name by the end of the episode) and Brienne somehow manage to open the gates and tip the scales against the Boltons.

    Theon’s identity will be restored by hearing Bran’s voice from the Weirwood tree, setting up Bran’s return in Season 6.

    Sansa will kill Myranda with the tool she stole and / or use the tool to pick the lock on her door. If Ramsay or Roose die, it won’t be at Sansa’s hands, but might be at Theon’s (too fan-servicey to have Sansa do it, imo).

    Brienne plays an important role in the battle and chooses to protect Sansa rather than avenging Renly… for now, anyway. She’ll either end this season in Sansa’s service as a sworn sword or on a quest to find Bran and Rickon. Next season she’ll find both of them by saying their names out loud in an inn. Why mess with success?

    The Wall:
    A desperate Jon Snow accepts Stannis’ offer of supplies now / an army at the Wall later because he realizes that the need to defeat the White Walkers greatly outweighs the Night’s Watch’s vows to remain neutral.

    Jon will send Sam and Gilly to Oldtown so that Sam can consult the library / maesters regarding the White Walkers. (They will arrive at Oldtown in their first scene in Season 6.)

    The uproar over Jon allying the NW with Stannis will give Olly the opportunity to stab him, possibly with the help of some of the more anonymous members of the NW (maybe Yarwick and March or the two that attacked Gilly, definitely NOT Edd and not Allister Thorne, who I think respects the NW too much to be a mutineer, no matter the circumstances).

    Dorne:
    There’ll be another scene with Jaime and Bronn, but I think Doran will give his Fire And Blood speech and dispatch the Snakes on their missions in King’s Landing and wherever else rather than another Sand Snake attack or the deaths of major characters.

    I think that Varys will make his re-appearance here, scheming with Doran Martell to help Dany conquer Westeros. I’d put Varys in KL if not for the reports of a character in Dorne who isn’t supposed to be there and that reporters were asked not to mention.

    I think Aegon is still a long-shot, but if he is in the show, he’ll be Trystane.

    There’s also a chance that Trystane and Myrcella will be married before they leave Dorne.

    Misc.:
    I think there will be a short scene with Yara and Balon where Balon dies, setting up Euron’s arrival in Season 6. Of course, I’ve been predicting Balon’s death since Season 3, so who knows? lol

    Lady Stoneheart will not appear or be foreshadowed in any way shape or form.

  25. Family, Duty, Hodor,

    Was there some part about this…”Please do not discuss leaked footage in this post at all. We have set up a separate post for fans who want to enjoy spoiler discussion including leaked content openly…” you didn’t understand?!?

    Please, be considerate of others.

  26. Just wanna say have fun to the people who are gonna watch it in 3 hours 🙂 It’s 2 AM in my timezone then so I’ll watch it when it airs here tomorrow night.

  27. Arthur:

    I hope

    Jon sends Sam off to Old Town (like in the books) and he tells him to take Gilly with him and maybe she learns a skill there as well.

    Remember what Aemon said to her …

    “take him south Gilly FLOWER …”

    Flowers is Reach bastard surname

  28. Bergey,

    Bergey:
    This is shaping up to be the best finale they’ve had yet.

    Season 4’s is gonna be hard to top. There seemed to be fewer threads hanging than this year, but that may make it more exciting. Maisie tweeted that she can’t stop smiling because everyone has an “epic storyline” tonight, so it may just live up to your expectations.

  29. Family, Duty, Hodor,

    Sorry, I got spoiled last night, so my hackles are still a little up, and I’m feeling very protective of those who remain unspoiled.

    I also think creating a separate thread was such a great idea, I just really hope everyone utilizes it.

    Anyway, I hope you enjoy the finale as much as I have a feeling I will!!! 🙂

  30. I know tonight will be awesome but I am already prepared for a letdown in both the Dornish climax and Brienne climax.

    I have a feeling the Dornish stuff will be just as silly as the other stuff.

    And I have a feeling they are just going to shoehorn Brienne into the Sansa plot with some unrealistic feat of her somehow getting into Winterfel, past guards, through gates and saving Sansa. It will be as bad as the watergarden stuff.

    Hopefully I am wrong and its not, but I already mentally prepaired myself for this.

  31. First off, thanks Sue for making it a no episode spoiler post. Hopefully HBO tightens security so this doesn’t happen again next year.

    Hoping for some good book spoilers tonight! Especially on the fight for Winterfell. Littlefinger has been suspiciously absent for a little while. I might be a little unrealistic for him to get there so quickly, but they’ve magic carpeted characters before. Especially LF. I really hope one or both Boltons gets it tonight. The actors are both great, but it’s time for something cathartic for the audience. I especially would like if Sansa does it with that corkscrew!

    especially since Jon’s probably getting shanked

    I really, really want Brienne and Pod to not end up as war casualities though!

    I really can’t wait to see the show’s take on Robert Strong

    I’m hoping Arya kills Trant and I’d also be delighted to see her warg.

    Somebody currently in Dorne will probably die since nothing happened in the subplot yet.

    This should be one of the tensest episodes yet. For once, I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s the first time since season one that I’ve worried about a main character dying but today I’m worried about many. I’m even worried about Stannis despite what he did!

  32. Arthur:

    Yes i have that feeling about Dorne too.
    One of the actresses who plays a SS said they will be a part of it….. which means Doran probably won˙t be and only he can drop something BIG on us.
  33. Nymeria Warrior Queen,

    No need for you to apologise. Definitely my fault for not reading. Have to say, I haven’t been this hyped for a GoT episode since The Rains of Castamere, so find it difficult to contain myself!

    Although since it’s only an hour….we could be in for a massive cliffhanger.
  34. weirwoodtreehugger:
    Hopefully HBO tightens security so this doesn’t happen again next year.

    This may be a recurring problem since they’re airing globally now. Didn’t this spoiler come out of Austria?

    Littlefinger has been suspiciously absent for a little while.I might be a little unrealistic for him to get there so quickly, but they’ve magic carpeted characters before.

    Well, I hope to see Varys at some point, even if its a quick check in.

    I’m even worried about Stannis despite what he did!

    I’d like to see Stannis stick around simply because Stephen Dillane is magnificent in the role.

  35. I think Flesh Golem formerly known as The Mountain, is going to kill a few Sparrows AND that High Sparrow guy. That would make sense for me and I will actually cheer.

  36. I hope Davos joins up with Jon actually! Those two had really good chemistry in their scene together in episode 3.

  37. I’ve had my fill of speculation. When is the appropriate time to pull out the corkscrew and uncork for the finale?

    Love how Petyr’s advice to Sansa was to make Ramsey hers and instead she called him a bastard. Never call him that!

  38. Rygritte,

    Early enough to have a good buzz going, but not too early, lest the buzz is too good, you get sleepy, and fall asleep right before the episode begins. 🙂

  39. I also hope book readers have their phone cameras at the ready. I really wanna see Unsullied reactions to

    For the Watch.
  40. Robb Snow,

    I can tell you right now they are going to be pissed!

    Jon has really grown up this season, he has proven himself a leader, a warrior, and someone that you can count on to do the right thing and get things done.

    I really hope it doesn’t end with his death, that would suck!

  41. Arthur,

    I really think D&D need to get Gilly out of those rags and let her become a proper lady. It would be such a cool character development for her…

    Actually even with the rags, I can see how beautiful she is.

    Id also add that perhaps the baby could actually grow, move and hey perhaps walk and talk! Should be old enough by now, really!

    I just spent the last 6 hours in a marathon watch. Two more to go, but just wanted to say that they darn well better do something with Dorne, coz it deserves better than what was given. Gorgeous setting, excellent actors in Elaria and Doran, and we get nothing but silly Sand Snakes and silly fight scenes. Really guys….

    Aside from that, watching the whole season at once helped me see what a good one it was, really and truly. There were definitely some missteps esp in ep 6 and 9, but all in all, Im sooo ready for tonight!

  42. Arthur,

    I really think D&D need to get Gilly out of those rags and let her become a proper lady. It would be such a cool character development for her…

    Actually even with the rags, I can see how beautiful she is.

    Id also add that perhaps the baby could actually grow, move and hey perhaps walk and talk! Should be old enough by now, really!

    I just spent the last 6 hours in a marathon watch. Three* more to go, but just wanted to say that they darn well better do something with Dorne, coz it deserves better than what was given. Gorgeous setting, excellent actors in Elaria and Doran, and we get nothing but silly Sand Snakes and silly fight scenes. Really guys….

    *(there are some parts I am going to skip however; once was really enough)

    Aside from that, watching the whole season at once helped me see what a good one it was, really and truly. There were definitely some missteps esp in ep 6 and 9, but all in all, Im sooo ready for tonight!

  43. Arthur,

    I can’t imagine anybody would believe Jon is really dead. It will be like when Theon “killed” Bran and Rickon. All the non-readers knew that was a fake out. Or like if they had ended ep5 this season after Tyrion was pulled underwater. The real cliffhanger should be if his eyes turn white or blue.
  44. Arthur,

    They will probably leave just enough doubt as to whether he’s really dead or not that people won’t swear the show off forever (again) and will in fact be even more addicted to the show than ever because they’ll desperately want to know if Jon is still alive, or can be brought back if not.

    (there’s also the possible shock twist of Jon opening blue eyes after dying but I doubt this will be the case)

    Either way it’s gonna be a lot of fun to see.

  45. ash,

    Haha that’s such a good point!

    Note to D&D:

    Gilly’s baby needs to age up for next season, he’s been an infant for like 3 years now!

  46. gewa76,

    Well, after Jon has become such a boss this season, I really like him!

    I read the books and know all the Jon Snow theories but after I watched this YouTube “Film Theory” it really hit me hard about just how important Jon Snow can be to this saga.

    This guy’s theory of Jon Snow is the most well thought out and explained one I have found, and I have found LOTS!

    WARNING: JON SNOW SPOILERS ON THIS YOUTUBE LINK!

  47. I am too scared for tonight. Anxious. Sad. Excited.
    If my predictions pan out… imma be pissed as well.
    I posted a funny dubsmash on my twitter that’s linked to my name that is really true to what tonights episode is about. Death.

  48. Very hyped up for tonight. And for ALL storylines. My excitement is super high.

    My only additional wish is that the episode drops some HUMONGOUS spoilers on book readers, who always seem to know all. 😉

  49. While I have mostly enjoy this season (Hardhome is the best GOT ep ever!), Dorne has been a disappointment. I just hope they can tie up that plot line cleanly then start fresh for season 6.

  50. gewa76,

    All the non-book readers?Hardly.A lot of them will freak out over this.Especially after last week episode with Shireen.If FTW is in this episode,but it looks like it.To them Jon simply can’t die now or ever in GoT.So many times it was 50/50 and he managed to escape from the situation.Many non-readers don’t even go to internet,because some people put spoilers in every video.Mainly by insensitive book readers.
  51. Speculation…

    Tommen dies (suicide??) and Dorne crowns Myrcella. And Myrcella ends up being the “younger more beautiful queen”.

  52. I have a wish for a satisfying event that is not in the books and will doubtfully occur on the TV show so I don’t see any possible spoiler. The only thing Ramsey seems to value and care about is his pack of “murder dogs” that satisfy his blood lust so well. Sansa escapes in a secret passage known only Starks. The murder dog pack is sent after her and she hears them baying. Cut to a view of a weirwood face and then you begin to hear the dogs yelps & screams. Brandom has sent a large pack of Direwolves & other dangerous beasts to defend Sansa. Ramsey finds one of his valued dogs in tiny pieces and he feels loss & anger but also concern because he and his dogs are no longer the most dangerous thing in the woods. Patrick

  53. Ace of Mace:
    While I have mostly enjoy this season (Hardhome is the best GOT ep ever!), Dorne has been a disappointment. I just hope they can tie up that plot line cleanly then start fresh for season 6.

    I still don’t know if I consider “Hardhome” the best personally, but definitely in the top three. I’ll have to rewatch the other top episodes to refresh. “Hardhome” was excellent for the entire episode in my opinion so it is possible that it’s my number 1.

    During the week after every episode this series has run I’ve rewatched the latest one several times (not unlike a lot of people I’m sure). The number of times varies depending on how much I like it. I watched “Hardhome” every night the following week, some nights more than once, and I’ve watched it a few times this past week to include once more in half an hour during the marathon. This would be a similar pattern for my favorite episode(s) of each season. I did watch “The Dance of Dragons” this week nearly as much, but it was mostly for the Drogon-rage and not the episode as a whole.

  54. Alix the Direwolf:
    Here Be Dragons,

    Is that wise?If you really want to remain unsullied there have been preview spoilers which some *!*! has ALREADY posted on tho ever thread and been deleted, so my advice is go for a long walk before the show instead.

    I believe that Here Be Dragons is talking about when Lulu’s Mum and I were discussing plans for what we would do if Shireen burned. For weeks, Lulu’s Mum and others were worked up over all of the foreshadowing of this event. When she said that she wouldn’t be watching the show live because she didn’t want to see that scene, if it happened, and wanted to read about it first, I volunteered to watch and tell her if the scene happened, when it was, what came before and after, and a verbal recap of the scene so she could watch the rest of the show and avoid that moment. Though Lulu’s Mum and I were speaking in the hypothetical, there were many who missed the “if” part of the posts and thought we said this scene was definitely going to happen, but Lulu and I had no clues except that which had been written on the wall in previous episodes. I do apologize for the misunderstanding.

  55. Rygritte,

    For a 7 o’clock viewing? That would be about right for me. If I was already tired, anything much before that, I’d be in too much danger of falling asleep (I guess I’m getting old 🙁 ).

  56. It’s a day of miracles. I walked into Whole Foods, and there – just sitting in a freezer – was one bottle of Three-Eyed Raven beer.

    Needless to say, I grabbed it and ran.

  57. Hoyti Voñ Totiy:
    What im most curious about is how will Davos react to news of Shireen …Will he stay true to Stannis or join the Crows. I do not remember does Davos have any sons left alive in the TV show?

    I could be very wrong but I think Davos only had one son in the show (Mathos?) who died at Blackwater. He talks about him with Gendry when the latter is in the cells at Dragonstone and I got the impression he didn’t have any other children, as that would have been a good time to mention them. Haven’t watched that scene for a while though, so I could be misremembering.

    Obviously totally guessing here but I think Davos has stood by Stannis through thick and thin as he honestly thinks he is the best option for leader and that if they could only get rid of Mel everything would be ok. Shireen’s death will devastate him and he’ll either wash his hands of Team Dragonstone altogether, or possibly be convinced that she did something to Stannis like hypnosis and he wasn’t in his right mind when he agreed to the sacrifice. (Possibly news of the burning doesn’t specifically state who took the decision, just that it happened?) If the Stannis-didn’t-do-it-on-purpose option he might try to get rid of Mel once and for all, in order to ‘save’ Stannis – and by extension everyone else – from her. If he takes the Black he is bound by their vows and can’t go off and do his own thing, whatever that turns out to be, so it’s obviously possible but limits his future options. There’s just too many possibilities even within that one storyline, my mind is melting trying to work them out.

    As I’m in the UK the show is on at 2am and I don’t usually get to watch it live, but I’ve got to use up some annual leave so off tomorrow and joining in with everyone else this evening. Don’t know what’s coming but my current state of mind is this….
    https://33.media.tumblr.com/227384d25287c8e4f3a14db0b8dafec1/tumblr_mr31n8tWbs1rn29h0o1_1280.gif Think I’m going to need a lie down afterwards 😀

    EDIT: KG hope you remembered to pay first 😉

  58. Arthur,

    Did they show the baby this season? I always heard gilly say she needs to go see little Sam but they never show him

  59. KG:
    It’s a day of miracles. I walked into Whole Foods, and there – just sitting in a freezer – was one bottle of Three-Eyed Raven beer.

    Needless to say, I grabbed it and ran.

    Haha nice! I would have done the same. Let me know how it taste.

  60. It won’t happen,but I really wish tonight would end with Ramsay dead at Sansa’s hands (at this point I could care less about Theon’s redemption journey), and everyone in Winterfell bending the knee and declaring her Queen of the North. Again, won’t happen, but a fan can dream.

  61. I’d just like to echo Ginevra’s words above and apologise again to anyone who took our conversation last week to be a spoiler rather than my worse case scenario speculation as a big Shireen fan. It obviously wasn’t worded clearly enough as such and gave several people a minor heart attack. It’s the only time anything I’ve speculated played out pretty much as I’d suggested which was a total fluke, I promise! If it’s any consolation, once I found out it was actually going to happen I skipped straight past that scene and doubt I could ever watch even a split second of it. It was my worst nightmare come true which was what I was trying (and evidently failing) to convey in the original post 🙁 🙁 🙁

    All I will speculate for this week, apart from trying to guess what Davos might be up to above, is that it should be awesome and we’ll all be back here in around 3 hours raving about our new favourite ever episode 😀

  62. gewa76,

    I know, right? That would be so naive of them. It’s not as if GoT has ever killed off a major character before.
  63. Ginevra,

    I think most non-readers know about the R+L=J theory. It’s impossible to avoid. If that’s all been a red herring, it wouldn’t be a clever, shocking twist. It would be horrible storytelling. Everybody knows Jon, Daenerys, and Tyrion are safe for now.
    To paraphrase Matt McCoy from last week’s Silicon Valley: If Jon really dies tonight, I’ll eat a bowl of shit.
  64. Unless I’ve missed something, wasn’t

    Varamyr Six Skins

    supposed to be cast for this season?

    There is only one episode left and unless they were one of the unnamed wildlings that escaped Hardhome we haven’t seen them yet.
  65. gewa76:
    Ginevra,

    I don’t know how any huge fan of the show that hasn’t read the books could make it this far into the series without having most things spoiled at least a bit. I mean, when I’m ‘obsessed’ with something like GoT/aSoIaF I’m scouring the internet looking for articles, reviews, forums, etc. to read about it. Nearly everything GoT always ends up having some little spoiler blurb it seems. Hmm, maybe most people can avoid internet discussion and reading about shows they’re major fans of…? I’m certainly not one.

  66. Gilly’s bonsaied baby,

    I’m just internet rather than book spoiled and the last part of the published story is the one I’m least familiar with, so am only vaguely aware what’s due to happen. I get the impression this part of the story seems to have gone a bit off-book as of last week? If what you said is a spoiler perhaps the mods could cover it if it’s too late for you to do so? Sorry, not trying to be rude here, I am perfectly happy to read spoilers but others are trying to avoid them and I caused a minor meltdown last week posting badly worded speculation that people took as fact, so am super sensitive to them on other people’s behalf.

    Davos is one of my faves, although I’ve never been a massive fan of the company he keeps, and would be happy to see him whatever he does. I’ve not seen many interviews with the cast, mainly on Thonecast, but he came across as good company in real life too 🙂

    EDIT: Love your name btw, I misread it as ‘bonsiated’ and thought “what the hell is that?”, it’s only just occurred to me what it actually says 🙂

  67. gewa76,

    Most on here know, but if you went to the local mall and started surveying, I’m sure the vast majority of the show’s viewers, whether book readers or not, would have no idea what you mean.

  68. gewa76,
    I think it’ll end exactly the way the books did.

    Jon’s stabbed, and he might well die, but there have been so many deaths and returns in the books by this point that it’s not like Ned’s beheading. Indications are he’ll be back next season (and in Winds)
  69. Ravyn:
    If anyones interested, Nikolaj is doing a Twitter #AskGoT in a couple of minutes.

    Not sure I like the sound of that… I hope it doesn’t mean something bad will happen to Jaime tonight. D:

  70. Robb Snow: Not sure I like the sound of that… I hope it doesn’t mean something bad will happen to Jaime tonight. D:

    Well he just implied tonight will be a tearjerker, but I think we kinda knew that.

  71. I’m so hyped I can’t contain myself, I think this episode will be phenomenal. I can’t believe this season is nearly over. Oh, and I remembered today that a new location that was said to stand for Dorne (Vila Dalmacija) has not been shown yet, I wonder how much time we will be spending there.

  72. Ravyn: Well he just implied tonight will be a tearjerker, but I think we kinda knew that.

    I know

    For the Watch

    is gonna hit people right in the feels… and I hope that’s what Nikolaj is talking about for the most part, and not what I’m worried he might be talking about.

  73. I’m watching the repeat of episode 9anyone think shirreen story to davos was her telling him how he is going to die, by dragon

  74. house snow:
    I’m watching the repeat of episode 9anyone think shirreen story to davos was her telling him how he isgoing to die, by dragon

    I didn’t get that vibe at all. I really don’t see much in the way of forshadowing for Davos. I see him as a survivor.

  75. Just realized Ellaria’s seeming kindness to Jaime (realize you weren’t involved) and Myrcella was the Godfather kissing Fredo.

  76. Darquemode,

    Of name characters? Let’s see…

    Meryn
    Myranda/Walda
    Bronn
    Myrcella or Tommen
    Ellaria and/or a Sand Snake
    Jon (until next season)

    So yeah, 5+

  77. Rewatching “The Dance..” All week when I’ve rewatched the part where the ‘strong’ and the ‘quick’ give their praise to Daenerys before fighting I’ve laughed at the way the strong dude says the first word. It’s hardly close to the way the rest say it… kind of a really low ‘OoOh-hO’

  78. I don’t expect much to happen in this episode. Probably just setup for next season….

  79. flintwielder:
    This is the night where the books end and the novelization starts.
    Go GoT !

    This is something that has me very excited beyond the size and scope of tonight’s finale. The next episode we see could be the first step in the next part of the story. After four/five years of waiting, we get to move forward. While I hope George comes through first, I will be excited to keep going with the story show or books.

  80. gewa76,

    So many possibilities aren’t there?

    I’ve tried to not pay attention to the spoilers so I may have missed some deaths on the horizon,.. I personally think 7 or 8 may be accurate.

    I think Jon, Trant, Ramsay, Myranda, Pycelle and Kevan could go in the finale. And Dorne I just have no clue! I think something will go down with a Sand Snake and/ or Bronn dying. My guess is Tommen will be the start of next year, but who knows!
  81. i am kind a late to the party

    i just hope they do the

    FTW

    scene different from books …no ser patrek or anything and hopefully that will put some theories to rest

  82. I am in one of those Canadian theatres that showing ep 9 and 10 on the big screen. But one more hour for us

  83. Almost here! Then in just over an hour, we’ll be back to waiting and speculating!

    Really excited!!!!

  84. I don’t think I can handle this…..it will be over and I will feel bereft for another 3/4 of a year.

  85. Hmm… no kill blow viewed. Ack!
    Could it be a switch up and she let him live because he accepted his fate honorably? I doubt it, but…..

  86. “You want the good girl, but you need the bad pu$$y.” ROTFLMAO! That was something straight out of a bad 70s exploitation flick. I’ll give George this: he’d NEVER write anything that embarrassing. And, now I’ve gone full Linda.

  87. Varys in Meereen? Wow!
    My favorite duo back together and taking their act to Meereen!
    Well that should help Tyrion… Maybe?

    Means no KL deaths this season too unless they pawn that off onto Littlefinger…

  88. Literally every story line left on cliffhanger

    And yea kinda pissed about that benjen trick

  89. Death Counter:
    1 – Selyse Baratheon
    2 – Stannis Baratheon
    3 – Meryn Trant
    4 – Myrcella Baratheon
    5 – Jon Snow

    So 5 it was, but not the 5 I figured. Wow!

  90. When Varys showed up, I fully expected Littlefinger to take on his role in KL. Anyone else?

    RBloodworth,

    Agreed. Only complaint about this episode.

    Well… that and the Brienne business.

  91. Last scene was lame in really good episode.I love the show,but I just don’t have any words.Everything was good up until the last scene.

  92. God damnit!

    They ended Jon’s storyline just like the damn books!

    Now we will have to wait a whole year to see what happens, if he is really dead, if he wargs, if Mel brings him back.

  93. Darquemode,

    Don’t forget Myranda. I’m not sure we can count Jaqen or not. And I’m not convinced that Jon is dead, although it doesn’t look good. I definitely don’t think Stannis is dead.

  94. Darquemode:
    Death Counter:
    1 – Selyse Baratheon
    2 – Stannis Baratheon
    3 – Meryn Trant
    4 – Myrcella Baratheon
    5 – Jon Snow

    So 5 it was, but not the 5 I figured. Wow!

    Myranda

  95. Those sneaky bastards definitely know how to play on our emotions re: the Benjen fake out. Fuck this was an insane episode. Too much to process…

  96. Wow. Stannis’ demise was all encompassing. He lost everything. Props to Stephen Dillane on a powerful performance. I wept for him, and another character I’m meant to hate: Cersei. The walk was hard to watch. All the Emmys for Lena.

  97. So many great scenes!

    I really got chills when Sir Robert Strong picked up Cersei and that dude was like “He has taking a vow of silence until all his queens enemies are dead” and Cersei’s eyes glowed with hate… Yeah bitches!

    And OMG Lena did it! She did that scene herself, no body double, maybe for the butt shots but still give her mad respect, that took so much guts I love her!

  98. Dumb question and I’m sure it’s obvious: what was the significance of Dany dropping her ring?

  99. That was fucking intense. I can’t believe that Stannis lost everything in the matter of a few scenes. The walk of shame was exactly like in ADWD, so that was sick. Arya’s revenge was one of the best moments in the episode but I have to let everything settle in my mind a bit lol.

  100. That was… wow.

    Also, the winterfell developments I felt should have concluded ADWD, would have improved so much that book.

  101. Arthur,

    It looks like Mel.Warging was never established in the show for Jon.She just lost her AAR.She will found new one and the real deal.
  102. So they didn’t show Brienne’s death blow to Stannis. That just brings on speculation, which will probably be BwB related I suppose.

  103. What a finale! Although the season ends in a total cliffhanger mood it is a relief! It is the end of the dictatorship of the sullied fanatics!

  104. Darquemode,
    You forgot Ellaria! (Edit: And Myranda!)

    OK, so cliffhangers everywhere. D&D trolled us massively with the Benjen preview. Varys in Meereen? No one had predicted that. House Baratheon wiped out. The only happy ending? Sam, Gilly and baby, I hope. I mean, I am not even sure whether Sansa and Theon broke their legs or not! 😀

  105. I was wrong about Varys showing up in Dorne!!!

    At the moment, that’s kind of all I have to say, other than…

    Holy Shit!!!

  106. Josla:
    Oh my God! Stannis is dead? Haven’t watched yet but need to know how this happened! Anyone?

    He alone in the woods, fights off two Bolton soldiers, takes a cut to the leg and is resting against a tree when Brienne walks up and goes through the last rites ceremony regarding his killing of Renly. After which she slices off his head I guess. We don’t see it. We see the swing and I think hear the chop.

  107. Entertainment Weekly just posted an interview with Kit. He says it’s not a fake out. He’s done with the show.

  108. I can’t believe all the cliffhangers! No answer on Jon. I feel like Chsrlie Brown with the football. So pissed!

  109. I haven’t watched yet but apparently they ended the season with Jon Snow being stabbed? I was hoping they would be smarter than that, what a shitty way to end the season. Either he gets resurrected next season which makes it just a dumb cheap cliffhanger or he is really dead which would be even worse.

  110. If you think about it… Most of House Stark could be dead. Arya was poisoned. Sansa jumped. Theon jumped. Jon was knifed. This leaves Rickon and Bran from some viewers….

  111. Jon’s death was right out of ROME.

    Just like Julius Caesar. That fucking Olly kid, “Et tu Brute” or however it goes.

    Damnit, the only thing I didn’t like was Jon dying!

    PLEASE DONT BE DEAD!

  112. Jesus guys, i thought i wouldn’t be so affected by the walk of shame, but Lena gave me the chills, she completely sold it, i hate cersei’s guts and it was still hard to watch

  113. It was alright. The arya stuff was awesome but the way it left of Theon Sansa stannis Briene and Dany,Jamie and Marcella I did not love . The walk
    Was god for the watch was good , I’m gonna say that was about a 6.9 outa ten and everyone in my house
    All around says this is the worst season of the 5 . I
    Think it was kind of a bummer . No benjen no lsh . They keep simplifying This complex story which is asoiaf , for
    This shit. I’m
    Bummed out

  114. JamesL: I was hoping they would be smarter than that, what a shitty way to end the season. Either he gets resurrected next season which makes it just a dumb cheap cliffhanger or he is really dead which would be even worse.

    Yes, so stupid that

    it’s how George ended the last book. Stupid authors and their cheap stunts.

  115. Ness:
    Dumb question and I’m sure it’s obvious: what was the significance of Dany dropping her ring?

    So she can be tracked. Not idly do the leaves of Lothlorien fall.

  116. JamesL,

    Yes they ended it with sad music and a fucking punch in the gut!

    Thanks D&D, now I feel like crap worried about Jon.

    But also remember, D&D felt a little sorry for us and put that Sam line in there for the smart ones to pick up on. “Jon always comes back”

  117. Ness,

    On the Inside the Episode D&D said she drops it in order to leave a breadcrumb for people (Daario and Jorah) to find her.

  118. The Brienne/Stannis face-off was such a whimper. He accepted his fate and that’s that.
    After last week, I was ready for Stannis to bite it. Still smarting from that one but gotta admit, I was expecting Stannis to draw a blade and stab her as she swung the sword. Isn’t so typical for how they write Brienne? She is staring at that tower for an eternity, steps away and here comes the light. Now maybe she can start avenging Catelyn and kill some Freys because there hasn’t been a blip about them all season.
    As brutal as it was, I did love the Arya kill.

    Is Cleganebowl still a crack-pot theory because with

    then Elder Bro/Septon Meribald casting

    me thinks it’s a definite possibility. Don’t know about GRRM but I think the show is going there.

    I expect we will have some Rory sightings come fall and that is like Christmas morning for me!

    Lena was fantastic and SO HAPPY to see Varys. Solid finale, for the most part but pissed we don’t have any dead Bolton’s. Boo.

  119. And props to the skeptics out there who were telling us to not get our hopes up about the Benjen stuff. Damn.

  120. Kay,

    I dont’ understand why that’s a troll. Just because the media latched onto the “previously on”, doesn’t mean they intended to mislead you. I mean, it’s not like they didn’t mention Benjen Stark, and, frankly, most casual viewers probably don’t even remember who the heck he is at this point. Kinda looks like the internet frenzy just ate its own tail to me.

  121. Damn. I’m impressed they followed the books for Jon Snow, but gotta hold out hope that Melisandre is going to resurrect him. Damn.

    Arya – She finally killed Meryn – nice! Oh, and they did blind her like in the end of AFFC! I remember freaking out about that!

    Sansa – Oh, just her luck that Brienne and Pod turn away when she finally lights the candle! Myranda finally dying was great, at Theon’s hands even better. I’m guessing he broken an ankle from that jump. Can’t wait to see what happens next for Sansa.

    Tyrion – ruling in Dany’s place? Interesting. With Varys’ assistance as well!

    Dany’s story ended same place as the books, but more underwhelming here. What are we supposed to feel, threatened or excited for the Dothraki showing up?

    Myrcella – as soon as Ellaria kissed her, I knew what was going to happen. Sad that it happened after the conversation with Jaime.

    Cersei – eh. Too much time spent on glorifying Cersei’s/Lena’s humiliation. Great acting though – made me care about her when she started crying.

    Stannis, dead at the hands of Brienne. I guess that answers that. But surprised they didn’t show his severed head. Hm.

    At least Sam got a happy ending.

  122. JamesL:
    I haven’t watched yet but apparently they ended the season with Jon Snow being stabbed? I was hoping they would be smarter than that, what a shitty way to end the season. Either he gets resurrected next season which makes it just a dumb cheap cliffhanger or he is really dead which would be even worse.

    How dare they do the same thing that was in the book, leaving that on a cliffhanger! At least you don’t have to wait years to see what happens.

  123. Those last scenes for Dany, Cersei and Jon were amazing. Arya’s scenes were incredible.

    However, Dorne was a complete disappointment from start to finish.

  124. JennyofOldstones,

    Um…. thoroughly confused by Kits interview? I mean, Melisandre freaking showed up at the wall tonight. So no question resurrection, right? So what the hell is he saying?

  125. Not really impressed. Everything was far too rushed. I used to like Game of Thrones because it didn’t treat it’s audience like idiots, but it really has this season. Were Olly, Ellaria, Arya, Brienne & Sansa supposed to be reveals? Far too telegraphed for far too long. Genuinely considering not bothering next season due to the pathetic dimming down of everything, particularly Dorne.

    I kept on hoping. Too late now.

  126. RBloodworth:
    “You want the good girl, but you need the bad pu$$y.”ROTFLMAO!That was something straight out of a bad 70s exploitation flick.I’ll give George this:he’d NEVER write anything that embarrassing.And, now I’ve gone full Linda.

    That was the cherry on the Dornish turd sundae. Dorne has been the worst storyline in the series.

  127. Is sansa dead or not? I mean, they didn’t show the body and I find it hard to believe that they would kill her but how the heck could she survive the fall. Stannis too, I have my doubts about his fate.

    Kay,

    Ellaria took the antidote. Unless you mean Doran will probably kill her if she doesn’t run away. Oh and may I take a moment to aknowledge THOSE FUCKING BEAUTIFUL DORNISH CLOTHES holy crap those were amazing. I expected more of Dorne but, still, Myrcella’s death was a complete shock for me.

    Ness,

    I read it as “I’m availiable for marriage”. She might want to form an alliance with a dothraki leader and that alliance might be sealed with a marriage.

  128. Ginevra,

    Don’t pay attention to D&D saying “Jon is really dead”.

    Of course he is, you have to be dead in order to be brought back to life.

    All my instincts tell me Jon is coming back…

    JON ALWAYS COMES BACK!

  129. Vyse: How dare they do the same thing that was in the book, leaving that on a cliffhanger! At least you don’t have to wait years to see what happens.

    LOL! Now book readers are complaining its like the book!!!!

  130. Stannis, for the win! Not…damn that was ghastly.
    Cheap, expected shot for Brienne.
    Fuck you very much, Mel.
    Worried about Drogon.
    The walk was stunning.
    FTW….I’ll never forgive them for using Benjen. Fuck you, Olly!
    Dany…meh, expected…loved the khalasar
    Tyrion and Varys for the real win! But WTF??
    Arya…so cool. Well done.
    Doesn’t look good for Myrcella…Dorne was a waste.
    Sansa/Theon, together again. Bye, bye M.
    Lucky fuckin Pycelle and Kevin.
    Oh well… sad for the end of the season and the known universe..

  131. Vyse: How dare they do the same thing that was in the book, leaving that on a cliffhanger! At least you don’t have to wait years to see what happens.

    LULZ !

  132. KG,

    I LOVED that scene. I got chills when he was like “He has swore a vow of silence until all his queens enemies are dead”

    I can’t wait to see what Cersei does with him next season!

  133. Arthur,

    I don’t see an issue with Kit or D&D saying “he’s really dead” – agreed, he is. But Kit saying he’s done with the show, not coming back, can cut his hair, won’t be in season 6? What?

  134. Kit, David, & Dan are trolling everybody right now.

    Getting people to think Benjen is coming back. Kit doing an interview with EW that he is done with the show.

    Well done folks. Well done.

  135. Ginevra,

    WTF?! If GRRM really killed Jon then that is some horrible storytelling. Just because something is shocking or surprises viewers/readers doesn’t make it good. Killing Jon would be horrible mistake and may really hurt the show.

  136. Just remembered but Myrcella telling Jaime she is happy he’s her Father made me roll my eyes. Sorry, I don’t care if this is a fictional world but no teen girl is going to say to her Uncle “I’m so happy you’re banging my Mom”.
    And why would she be happy about it, incest is best aside? Jaime was about as present in her life as her “Father” King Robert was.

  137. So much for the big BenJen thing, looks like that was a big red herring for the fans. Bet George and D&D were laughing their heads off at the speculations……

    I actually cried during the walk of shame; strange, coz I was cheering when reading it. Oh btw all the little boys here who wanted to see Lena naked? Was that enough for you? Could you tell when it was a double or not? gesh.

    Loved Sansa and Theons ending, Mycellas scene with Jamie, Arya and Trent, Stannis and Briene. Oh there was just so much to like about this finale.

    Now I need to go back to the top and read the rest of the comments, and see just how much the internet has broken….

  138. If that was Stannis’s death scene, I actually enjoyed it. To me he didn’t look defeated or in enormous despair — he looked exasperated. I think he’s SO solid on his identity as the savior and one true king that he’s more annoyed, than anything, that people are fighting against him.

    He’s like the grown-up arguing with little kids who insist for weeks the sky is purple and the dog talks when the grown-up isn’t around. I bet his last thoughts were, “Well, their loss. Brats.” Paraphrased of course. haha

    And his last words. All about the duty. Perfect.

    Also enjoyed Tyrion as “regent” of Meereen and Theon/Sansa’s ending immensely.

  139. JennyofOldstones:
    Kay,

    Is Gendry the only Baratheon left?

    But Gendry and his half-siblings are not true Baratheons, is my understanding.

    Hmmm… the EW article claims Jon is dead. But wasn’t it very convenient for Melissandre to abandon the Stannis ship and end up there? Where the heck was Ghost?

  140. Wow, left Dorne on a cliffhangar, you know the boat will turn around, Trystane, Jaime and Bronn will head for Doran and inform him what happened, so Ellaria wasn’t thinking ahead at all.
    Dany ended different than the books. Theon/JeyneSansa, still a few chapters left in their story. Book Myrcella is alive, The only way the boat doesn’t turn around is if Trystane has the antidote.
    That battle was lame, any commander with salt, would have his men form a square at the top of the small hill they just came down, it would have only taken less than a minute to get back up it, instead of charging on foot toward the mounted north men. D&D could have used a military adviser for that, they obviously have no sense of tactics.
    This episode is a perfect example of rushing to finish, which I have been afraid of sense D&D keep stating 7 seasons. Books 6 &7 are going to be Storm size, the only way to do 7 is with a readers digest condensed version, and we have the Iron born back in next season. HBO really needs to lay the hurt on D&D to add at least one more season.
    FTW was really rushed and no Wildlings present or Wun-Wun to put the hurt on them, very poorly set up and executed D&D, you failed the fans with that one.
    Noticed how they really took their time and tlc with WoS to make it awesome, because D&D are in love with Cersei’s story, more than any other.

  141. LOL apologies to Jenny of oldstones… don’t know how that earlier post got posted as a reply to you, must have accidentally hit the button. Not intended for you pls ignore

  142. I think the editing made it obvious that Stannis isn’t dead. That abrupt cut, yeah -he’s still alive.

  143. I don’t know whether to be elated or disappointed right now! On the one hand, so much went down it was like all the epic 9s rolled into one. It was a great episode.

    On the other hand, it doesn’t feel like the story advanced beyond where we are in the books. Which is fine, but I was hoping for some insight about how the story was going to go post ADWD. I kind of figured Stannis and Myrcella would be dying soon (there are theories that she’s already dead in the books and her handmaiden is posing as her for now and I think those theories may be correct) so while those deaths were absolutely impactful, I don’t think they gave any new info for the end game.

    Maybe Kill the Boy should have been used for this episode instead. It feels like every still living character was completely broken down this season and will be emerging as new people next season. Kill the boy/girl and let the man/woman be born because it’s going to get epic in next couple seasons.

    Oh and, I don’t think they would have made a point to bring Melisandre back to Castle Black if she wasn’t going to be resurrecting Jon with a Lord of Light’s kiss.

  144. Arthur,

    It’s not the really dead part that bothers me as much as the quote about not coming back for Season 6. I don’t believe that, either, but I’m not cool with D&D (or Kit?) just lying to us like that. Seems like cheating to me.

  145. These mothafuckas had me feeling like Jon Snow when they said uncle Benjen and than staby staby happened.

    Loved it! Well played. Lol

  146. Vyse,

    I know what happens in the book just because something happens in a book doesn’t make it immune to criticism. It was a cheap cliffhanger in the books and a shitty way to end the season.

  147. Ness,

    In show canon (hate that word) that is her mother’s ring. She wears it in every scene from the very first time that we meet her. I’m guessing her dropping it is meant to symbolize a transition from who she was into he she is supposed to be—kill the girl, and let the dragon queen be born, as it were.

  148. Vyse: How dare they do the same thing that was in the book, leaving that on a cliffhanger! At least you don’t have to wait years to see what happens.

    Now the frickin’ Unsullied can wait too! They know what it feels like…..sort of.

  149. Jon snow is dead. He’s azor ahai now. I think the biggest disappointment was no yara or Balon greyjoy. Fuck you imdb. Robert strong looks so creepy

  150. Jaime’sHand1220:
    OK my problem is…who Sansa going to get some relief from on the run from winterfell…anyone close?

    The Quiet Isle. War doesn’t affect them, it’s a safe place and they are casting someone who seems to be a hybrid of Septon Meribald/Elder Brother. Plus, Sandor is there and it would get all SanSan fans in a tizzy…myself included!

    Or she could return to the Vale and Littlefinger. Ugh.

  151. I loved:
    Sansa and Theon, Arya, Cersei and Jon maybe?
    I shocked: MYRCELLA WTF NO U CANT OH I HATE ELLARIA WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON
    Varys in meereen????? I hope he does his stuff from the epiolgue pf aDwD on the next seasom plsss
    I did not like: no lsh well just kidding but i was still hoping
    No doran speech he looks like a retarded right now
    I dont know what to say: brienne and stannis :0 i hope he isnt dead and brienne is fpund by lsh next season (yes Im an idiot that still hopes)

  152. Morgoth,

    Neither would shock me. He is either dead…. Or she made him promise that he needs to help her get Sansa to redeem himself.

    Who knows. Either way it will be fine.

  153. When you’re dead you’re dead. What the fuck would Jon come back as? Some zombie? I don’t like the idea or device of bringing anyone back. Thats cheap and weak.

    Hey maybe Jon as zombie can hook up with that girl that died at Hardhome and is a wight. They can live happily ever after making little zombie/wight kids.

  154. RandomSand: Unless you mean Doran will probably kill her if she doesn’t run away.

    Yeah, I can’t imagine Doran not executing her? Her action puts Trystane in horrible danger.

  155. While being entertained I don’t think I liked how they left any storyline other than Arya’s, Daenerys’ and Cersei’s. Those three were basically how people expected them to end, although Arya’s was probably better than what they could have pulled from the books.

    I think I’m a bit pissed with the episode. Not pissed in the way that I didn’t like what I watched, but pissed in the way they ended them all short in a way that everything was on the negative side of emotion. Viewers like to feel good once in a while for fock sake.

  156. Arthur: Don’t pay attention to D&D saying “Jon is really dead”.

    Of course he is, you have to be dead in order to be brought back to life.

    This is true, but him saying, “I am not coming back next season,” unless he has been instructed to flat-out lie, is concerning. Unless he is justifying it in his head as “I” meaning “Jon Snow” meaning the Jon Snow who died just now instead of who/whatever is brought back. I did think he was being quite evasive in that interview, though. Tricksy crows.

    With Sam gone and Jon dead, who is gonna give a shit about the Wall?

  157. Clob: It’s complete shit if Jon is dead for good and also in the books.Where the hell has GRRM been going with his story then?He hasn’t truly accomplished anything yet if you think about it.So we’ve read five books and watched five seasons for him to just mess around and have things mostly the same as when he started?

    WHAT THE HELL??!
    How can this be true!!
    YOU DONT KILL JON SNOW!

  158. Ravyn,

    That can’t be true. Like Jon is central to the story; I just can’t believe that. And all the set-up with Rhaegar and Lyanna was in this season too. Honestly, he must be lying.

  159. fly on the Wall:
    Ravyn,

    That can’t be true. Like Jon is central to the story; I just can’t believe that. And all the set-up with Rhaegar and Lyanna was in this season too. Honestly, he must be lying.

    I don’t know. Dude says he’s looking for work….

  160. Ravyn,

    Are you trolling? Post the link if this Kit Harrington interview exists.

    I am very disturbed by the cliff hanger. I expected it but didn’t. All the backstory. L + R for Fs sake! Jon Snow can’t die! I refuse to believe it.

  161. I’ll watch the premiere next season to find out if this is a troll job and Jon gets saved. If he’s really gone I don’t think I’ll keep watching after that.

  162. I’m curious how they’re going to handle those cliff-hangers during the off-season. If X,Y or Z show up for filming, everyone around here will probably find out sooner or later. Maybe they’ll just let us chase our own tails and hope most fans don’t find out.

  163. Wowowowowow! I stood up and cheered during Arya’s parts. For some reason I thought they would skip the blinding. Does this mean

    cat warging

    is in too?

    Clapped for Theon pushing Myranda. That was a pretty big drop for Sansa and Theon! Can’t wait for them next season!

    I don’t think Stannis is really dead. Of all the deaths in this episode, surely his wouldn’t happen off camera.

    How will Dany get out of that?? Drogon looked rather pooped.

    JON! I was prepared and yet not ready.

    Actually felt bad for Myrcella. That was the first time I really thought new Myrcella did a really good job.

    Cersei/Lena was SPECTACULAR.

    This will be a long wait for season 6.

  164. JamesL,

    I’m not saying he’s dead, and I’m sure as hell not saying he’s dead forever. I was just sharing what EW was saying that Kit said that D&D said that GRRM said. Liars, one and all. (Actually, we don’t know GRRM had anything to do with it, but I thought I’d carry it on out.) I’m very willing to bet that we will see Jon Snow next season.

  165. Arthur:
    KG,

    I LOVED that scene.I got chills when he was like “He has swore a vow of silence until all his queens enemies are dead”

    I can’t wait to see what Cersei does with him next season!

    Oh me too – It’s just that he looked like armored Godzilla about to smash up Tokyo.

  166. Ginevra,

    No way he is dead, there is no way…

    I just read that whole thing about D&D taking him for a walk and telling him he is dead.

    I don’t believe it. Jon Snow was amazing, wtf… He can’t be dead.

  167. I honestly hope he is dead in the book. I’m tired of GRRMs “PSYCHE! No not really” deaths. He played the card too often.

  168. KG,

    Haha, yeah!

    Seeing him hack down people that messed with Cersie is going to be awesome!

    Dude is a giant!

  169. KG,

    Don’t say that!

    Jon is so cool, I love him… I hope it is all a big “PSYCHE”.

    Is there anytime in TV show history where a stunt like this happened to trick everyone?

  170. iridium,

    totally agree. The look on Stannis face when he realized that everything was lost; he was almost laughing when he saw Brienne. Ok, sure, be my guest, take me now…

  171. KG,

    I think Jon’s at least one of the saviordude(tte)s of the books, so I think Melisandre is going to do a little revival at some point. So he’s probably “dead” but not dead. Alas. (Disclaimer: I’m not fond of Jon, so this isn’t my own personal fantasy talking — both books and show seem to point to him as the Chosen One or one of the Chosen Number.)

  172. Ness,

    umb question and I’m sure it’s obvious: what was the significance of Dany dropping her ring?

    Im guessing that she was shedding anything that didn’t have to do with Dothraki life.

  173. I don’t understand people saying Stannis is not dead. Maybe he is not — but why on earth would Brienne, as she has been portrayed in the show, NOT kill Stannis? I cannot think of any plausible reason she would not kill him, so I think he is dead.

  174. I’ve gotta believe Kit and D&D are trolling us. If Jon is dead and gone, it is just piss poor storytelling by GRRM. Jon is pointless. His greatest impact on the story is letting the wildlings through the wall? Really? I’ve wondered about Jon not appearing for most of season 6/TWOW, but he always comes back in the end.

  175. I’m still processing it. Gonna re-watch after dinner. Overall, I can’t see anywhere where I had major complaints. At first, after about 20 minutes, I was getting tired of all the deaths. It seemed like it was in danger of turning into a video game (thought Myranda going splat better be a meme on my FB wall by tomorrow morning). Not that any of it was bad. I thought STannis finale was a bit rushed, but I was totally shocked when it looked like everybody was abandoning him. Caught me completely off guard. And Mel just bailing on him. Geez…I almost felt bad for the guy and you really saw Dillane’s power as an actor. The Arya stuff was great…seriously. She’s been adrift all season, but that brought it home and Maisie turned it up to 11. Sansa and Theon landed in the snow, right? I guess they’ll run into Brienne next season. I actually liked the Dorne finale, though I kinda predicted it when Myrcella got the kiss (of death, as it turned out). I actually liked the scene between Jamie and her, though I’m not sure Ibuy the sentiment. At least it was better than any scene we’ve gotten in Dorne this year. LOVE Lena Heady tonight. The Walk of Shame just went on so long and got so uncomfortable. But it worked. And the look of fear and humility on her face, suddenly turning back to scheming Cersei when she saw the Mountain…perfect. As for FTW, it was a gut punch even if you knew it was coming. I kinda agree with some people here: If that’s the end of Jon’s journey….what the hell was GRRM doing with him? Just building him up to tear him down? I’m shocked, saddened, and puzzled as to what his game plan is, but obviously there is one, since D&D knows how this ends and, apparently, it doesn’t involve Jon. At least not as we know him.

  176. A Man Grown,

    I wasn’t a big fan of AFFC/ADWD and if Jons story really is over than I have completely lost faith in GRRM as a storyteller. That would mean he has no idea what to do with the story anymore but thinks “hey, the RW got a huge reaction from readers maybe if I kill off another main character and fan favorite that would shock readers even more”. Just because something shocks or surprises people does not make it good storytelling and killing of Jon this early is certainly not good storytelling.

    This could be a mistake that could really hurt the show if Kit is really done, I know we’ve heard that before after Ned, the RW but this time I believe it would be sincere and I wouldn’t blame viewers for wanting to quit. I know my own enthusiasm for the show would decrease considerably.

  177. We’ll only know that D & D are telling the truth if Kit Harington cuts his hair and has a proper shave in the next week or so. He may be truly dead, but that does not mean he will remain so. In fact I think the lack of Ghost indicates he will come back all the sooner.

  178. Vyse: So she can be tracked. Not idly do the leaves of Lothlorien fall.

    Thank you for that. At least LOTR is a hopeful story. Might go back to that for some comfort. I cannot take Jons death. I never believed it before. I’m sad and resentful and angry that there were so many expectations for me around this character and now it’s over. Maybe GRRM lets him be resurrected. I can hope.

  179. I don’t think Kit is done with the show. The producers had plenty of time to think about their media strategy regarding Jon’s ‘death’ and how to deal with it. And that interview was published right after the episode ended. A convenient timing, indeed. I think EW’s interview is part of the cliffhanger. 😉

  180. There were a lot of questions not asked in that EW article. Our am I grasping at straws? LOL

  181. I think that EW review is Kit and D&D trying to fake people out. Mel didn’t abandon Stannis and head back to the wall for no reason. Also, if Kit were leaving the show, he would have gotten some kind of gift. If they gave one to Rose Leslie, they would give one to Kit.

  182. Marco,

    That’s what I thinking, is there anything like this done before?

    Also money talks and Kit was listed for a pay increase in season 6 and an option for season 7. Money don’t lie in all professions, even entertainment industries.

  183. The Jaime/Myrcella scene hurt my heart. Good job, Nell. He has lost 2 children in similar fashion, the difference being that he loved Myrcella, and she knew and accepted him for who he was. The prophecy is partly his as well, and I think this is the end for he and Cersei.

    And I hope Ellaria is torn from limb to limb, slowly, by Doran. What a fucking waste Dorne was, and what a waste of Siddig.

  184. KG,

    But that’s where D&D improved on the books. They didn’t overuse the fake death trope, like Mance and Davos in the books. To me, it’s obvious Jon will come back. But they staged his death in a way that has people believing it. In contrast to ADWD, where I’m not sure anyone who’s dead is really dead, aside from Janos.

  185. JamesL,

    Actually you can blame George for that; its take straight from the last book. That being said – its uncertain in the book if he is really dead, so there is that
  186. Arthur,

    I disagree he told her to do her duty, which I think she realized was to save Sansa from the Boltons. I know she swung but I think they were trying to mimic the cliffhanger she had in the books when she was almost killed but the last thing she said changed LSH’s mind. They just reversed the roles and this may be the start of some redemption for Stannis.

  187. Arthur:
    ash,

    Yeah Stannis is dead, why would Brienne swing at air.

    And yes I also thought he welcomed it.

    I think so as well. He was dead inside by that point.

  188. I remember after Episode I (Star Wars), there were people debating if Senator Palpatine was the Emperor.

    That is about on par with people debating if Jon Snow is dead….

    He isn’t dead. They set up The Red Priest knowing how to bring people back to life in Season 3. Why else would she be at the wall?

    This isn’t a story about The White Walkers. They will be dead by the end of the 6th book. This is about two people who want to rule and how both sides formed.

    It is Jon Snow…. With Davos as his hand, Sam as his Maester against Dany….. with Tyrion as her hand.

    Jon dead? BWAHAHA!!!!!!

  189. I wonder if Jon does survive if they are doing this because they will play it in S6 with Davos and Mel gone from the wall, no scenes or POV characters at the wall, and just no mention of Jon until he is revealed to be resurrected and traveling with Mel towards the end of the season. Maybe Davos will be with them traveling??? I mean, he does not know that Mel burned Shireen or that Mel screwed everything up, could she convince him it was just Stubborn Stannis? Who knows; I am excited and nervous to be off book because I don’t want D&D to just fly through plot points that GRRM has told to them without doing proper story telling, just to wrap up the show in time.

  190. ash,

    Arya got blinded just like the books! I was so happy I thought D&D were going to leave that out.

    In the books I remember she learns how to heighten all her other senses and being blind like really gives her amazing training.

    So Arya’s training will continue and she will soon become the super assassin we all know she will become.

  191. That maester behind the rock is probably getting tired of Brienne’s ambiguous ‘kills’. Lol.

    Ramsay wins.

    Alfie Allen, you win this season.

    Jaqen damn near gave me a heart attack.

    BUT. BUT.

    JORAH LIVES!!!!!!

  192. Stannis is definitely dead. There is no reason at all to think otherwise. They clearly were showing the swing that finished him.

  193. Arthur,

    Not that i know of, but it’s more plausible than wasting his story arc like that. All the previous big deaths – Ned, Robb, Cat – were crucial to the plot. But Jon’s? No way.

  194. Demonmonkey: Thank you for that. At least LOTR is a hopeful story. Might go back to that for some comfort. I cannot take Jons death. I never believed it before. I’m sad and resentful and angry that there were so many expectations for me around this character and now it’s over. Maybe GRRM lets him be resurrected. I can hope.

    No problem, I’m glad someone got the reference. Nothing wrong with watching something comforting as well.

  195. Kells,

    The Brienne/Stannis face-off was such a whimper. He accepted his fate and that’s that.
    After last week, I was ready for Stannis to bite it. Still smarting from that one but gotta admit, I was expecting Stannis to draw a blade and stab her as she swung the sword.

    He was through. His wife is dead, all of the horses and swords are gone, his army has been slaughtered and for that he killed his daughter. What on earth would he want to live for?

  196. Gooderson,

    Mercy. That’s the name of the episode, innit?

    It’s many times easier to want to kill someone who’s unwilling to admit that he deserves death. It’s much harder to kill someone who cannot defend himself and no longer wants to.

  197. This episode makes me believe that Shireen will burn in the books, but Stannis won’t be the one to burn her.

  198. I know there’s going to be a lot of Jon Snow Truthers out there, but I just don’t see how much clearer Kit can make it: “I had a sit-down with Dan and David, we did the Tony Soprano walk [letting an actor know they’re being whacked]. And they said, “Look, you’re gone, it’s done.” And as far as the salary thing goes, that angered me when that story came out. I don’t know where it came from, but it was inaccurate in many ways. It’s going to put questions into your head and into fans’ heads that things are not what they are. Quite honestly, I have never been told the future of things in this show, but this is the one time I have. They sat me down and said, “This is how it is.” If anything in the future is not like that, then I don’t know about it – it’s only in David and Dan and George’s heads. But I’ve been told I’m dead. I’m dead. I’m not coming back next season. So that’s all I can tell you, really.”

  199. Um…don’t know how to feel about this now that the EW interview was posted. Was a very entertaining episode. Awesome visuals, as usual. But…what?! Just numb. Feel highly betrayed by the Benjen hype. I may have to lay off the off season casting and filming news this year. It just makes me crazy.

    Maceless Fan,
    Well, Jon said, “You’d need a mountain of it” or some such, so Dragonstone shout out.

  200. Arthur,

    If she kills Stannis in the middle of the woods, no one will know that she did it. Well, I guess show could carry his head around, but who would she show it to before it rotted? Ramsay? Also, if she can get Stannis to publicly admit that he killed Renly, she’ll show people that she was telling the truth about the shadow.

  201. BostonDave,

    Thats cheap and weak.

    Killing off Jon Snow would be cheap and weak. That would be GRRM desperate attempt at creating another RW type moment because he doesn’t know what else to do with the story to keep it interesting.

  202. I don’t think seeing Bengin (sp?) in the previously section was a bait and switch. They did it to remind viewers who he was and what happens to him so that when Ollie comes in the get Jon outside the viewers would have some understanding of why Jon rushed out blindly.

    I think Jon is really dead. If you watch the color on his face it turns much paler as he lies there. Sort of what Peter Jackson did to Boromir when he took those 3 humongous arrows. Now whether they bring him back or not is the question. As far as I remember the creators of the show said no more Caitlyn thus no LS. Maybe they didn’t bring her back cause they didn’t want two main characters resurrected if they decide to bring back JS.

    Finally I think Stannis is gone. If you listen closely you will hear Brianne’s blade hit something that make a squishy sound. There was nothing witihoreach of her blade to make such a sound other than Stannis himself.

  203. I am steadfast in my belief that Jon’s story is not finished. I love ASOIAF. I really do. But if Jon is dead and gone, I simply won’t care anymore. Don’t care about Dany. Still care about Tyrion and Arya, but really no one else. Jaime and Brienne are still interesting in the books, but not so much in the show. Come on, George, you’re better than this. Prove to me that you aren’t just going for the shock factor.

  204. They could of cut some of that walk of shame part down a little. I agree with someone said that the creators love Cersie’s character alot. She gets so much more screen time than anyone. I’m not saying Lena is a bad actress or the character sucks, she just gets alot more than others. They could have added so much more to this episode. That was one hell of fall from Theon and Sansa. I bet him and Sansa run into Yara next season. Ramsay is going to f’ing rage. Roose needs more screen time. His voice alone is just so bad ass and he is Warden of the North who just so happened to initiate the Red Wedding. He pretty much changed the whole game and gets no character arc. Jora will probably kill Dario in his sleep next season. Where the F is Littlefinger?? He is the biggest game player of them all.

  205. Daniellica,

    No one, although I think that may be the point. Nobody will care when the Nights Watch and the wall get overrun by the Others/White Walkers. Actually they probably deserve it for killing Jon Snow, or at least attempting to, among a boatload of other mistakes.

    However Mel is back at the wall, and the show went out of it’s way in Season 3 to show she knows about Red Priest Thoros of Myr bringing Beric Dondarrion back to life. The books did not show this only hinted upon it.

    Note that Jon dying releases him from the Nights Watch. To rage aganist the Boltons as a resurrected Jon Stark. We can only hope.

    Oh and I think Stannis is gone, but it would be insanely interesting if he was not. Perhaps Brienne is hesitant to kill the last living Baratheon after being so loyal to Renly.

  206. So we been watching Jon Snow grow from a little freaking stupid kid to the man he is now, watching him kill fucking White Walkers and do all kinds of cool shit just so he can get stabbed to death?

    No way, no freaking way, they are trying to pull a fast one on us, they want the shock to sink in a while before we learn he isn’t dead. (or is dead but gets brought back).

  207. JamesL:
    Vyse,

    I know what happens in the book just because something happens in a book doesn’t make it immune to criticism. It was a cheap cliffhanger in the books and a shitty way to end the season.

    Will have to agree to disagree.

  208. Ravyn: Read the EW interview. Kit says that report about the contracts was total bullshit.

    Untrue. He said “it was inaccurate in many ways.” That is a far cry from total bullshit, or even kinda bullshit. It sounded like hedging to me. He could have said, “it was completely false.” “Inaccurate in many ways” means it was also accurate in some.

    “Jon Snow” may be dead.
    Let the man be born.

  209. Ryan E:
    Clob,

    Uh, nothing is the same as when the show started.

    Well yeah, stuff has happened at the Wall, but all things considered, their position isn’t all that different. Nearly all the remaining Crows still hate the Wildlings, both factions are now smaller/weaker and they’re far worse off to battle the “Winter.” If Jon doesn’t become something ‘special’ and is indeed dead then who does anything in his place. If that’s the direction GRRM is taking the Night’s Watch, for them to fully fail and need to be saved by a force other than themselves, then Jon’s entire storyline for five books will seem silly.

  210. tyjon,

    Dany ended different than the books

    Not really, there was just a ton of filler put in by George that was unnecessary. But it pretty much happened like that. I hope they have a horse or two to give to poor Drogon.

  211. KG: Oh me too – It’s just that he looked like armored Godzilla about to smash up Tokyo.

    Ha!! That’s an awesome comparison! 🙂

  212. Ravyn,

    Really, that leaves us with two possibilities, Ravyn. Either Kit is lying his ass off, knowingly or unknowingly, or Jon Snow does not matter to the rest of this story, except possibly as Ghost who can essentially do fuck all. I believe the former because there are mountains and mountains of evidence that the latter is untrue.

  213. I refuse to believe Myrcella is gone I mean I am crying, oh and Stannis is definately alive. I dont know what the hell is going to happen now!!!!
    Best scenes: ARYA GOING BLIND OH MY GOD, CERSEIS WALL OH MY GOD, SANSA AMD THEON YESSSSSSS, oh and guess who was the stupid (and book reader) that actually believed the benjen stuff until I saw the traitor sign.

  214. Stannis is not dead. He told Brienne to “due her duty”. Her duty was to protect Sansa. Also we are led to believe he might be be dead in the books. Unlikely.

  215. Ravyn:
    Arthur,

    Read the EW interview. Kit says that report about the contracts was total bullshit.

    Yeah, does anyone really believe that? It’s not like he’s going to say, “I’ll be back for S6 for sure!”. That sorta defeats the purpose of a cliffhanger.
    So they’ll play along until S6 starts filming and we see Kit Harington on set.

  216. Clob,

    The Crows can kill the rest of Wildlings. The Wildlings are weaker than the crows. Be storng to see the demise of the Wall when the one and true king of the night comes…

  217. Ravyn:
    I know there’s going to be a lot of Jon Snow Truthers out there, but I just don’t see how much clearer Kit can make it: “I had a sit-down with Dan and David, we did the Tony Soprano walk [letting an actor know they’re being whacked]. And they said, “Look, you’re gone, it’s done.” And as far as the salary thing goes, that angered me when that story came out. I don’t know where it came from, but it was inaccurate in many ways. It’s going to put questions into your head and into fans’ heads that things are not what they are. Quite honestly, I have never been told the future of things in this show, but this is the one time I have. They sat me down and said, “This is how it is.” If anything in the future is not like that, then I don’t know about it – it’s only in David and Dan and George’s heads. But I’ve been told I’m dead. I’m dead. I’m not coming back next season. So that’s all I can tell you, really.”

    Jon Snow Truthers LOL.
    Well, saying in a interview ‘i’ll be back next season’ or avoiding them altogether could make people suspicious and would defeat the purpose of the cliffhanger.

  218. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    Looks like D&D favorite Dany will end up on the Iron Throne after all…..but her story is so cheesy and corny,,,,but then again why did the red priestess come back to the wall

  219. I can’t believe anyone really thinks Jon is dead dead. Kit’s interview with EW was conveniently released immediately after the end of the finale. Of course they’re taking the piss. Y’all think Sam’s line of “Jon always comes back” wasn’t wink-wink??
    I have to give credit to D&D. George handed them the most predictable cliffhanger ever, but judging by the comments here, they’ve still managed to create doubt in the fandom. Even from those who have read the books and knew what to expect.
    Regarding Stannis, at first I thought it was obvious Brienne killed him. But the fact that they didn’t show him dying makes me skeptical. I’m calling it now: the scene of Theon and Sansa jumping is a timeline fakeout. That actually happens before the Stannis-Brienne scene, and they will arrive in the forest just in time to dissuade Brienne from killing Stannis.

  220. Morgoth,

    And even when he is on set they can be like “for a burial scene”.

    So they can fuck us over and trick us for a really long time if he does really get brought back.

  221. Melisandre is still alive and at the Wall. Don’t lose faith! Even if Kit cuts his hair, it can grow back. They can use a wig/extensions. Hell, they can listen to Hoyti and have Jon cut it as a part of becoming the man! Jon will return at the end of season 6. Kit will only have to film a scene or two.

  222. Boose Rolton:
    Stannis is not dead. He told Brienne to “due her duty”. Her duty was to protect Sansa. Also we are led to believe he might be be dead in the books. Unlikely.

    At that point Brienne only needed a few seconds to off Stannis, and killing him does not violate her oath, so I don’t think the two are related.

  223. Note that when Theon and Sansa jumped off the castle wall, they jumped into a giant snowdrift. There’s every reason for them to survive the fall.

  224. gewa76,

    It’s not a timeline fake-out. Sansa watches part of the battle. She sees the Bolton troops returning. And Jon is dead. GURM is not bringing him back. Dang is AA, not Jon. It has been the biggest con/delusion in this fandom, thinking Jon will get resurrected.

    Dany, not Dang.

  225. As far as the hair – Jon’s body is burned and the NW ditches it, turns out Jon doesn’t burn owing to him being a dragon, but his hair burns off like Dany’s does when she goes into the funeral pyre in the books?

  226. Think about it. D & D and Michelle Fairley dicked us around about LS, never confirming that she was cut even though it’s pretty obvious she is. Now they’re all saying Jon is for sure dead even though it’s somewhat ambiguous looking just like it was in the books.

    Not buying it!

    Maybe UnJon has different hair than Jon.

    Or he’s resurrected in fire because he’s a secret Targ and his hair is crisped.
  227. Ok, Tyene, bit Bronn’s ear, so I expected to see him drop, as well. I like somebody’s idea that maybe Trystane has an antidote – didn’t think of that. I knew Ellaria was full of shit when she went in with sweet talk to Jaime last episode, she wasn’t about to let her vengeance go so easily.

    Wondered how Selyse got so high up into that tree. I wanted to laugh when Mel took off, but I was too busy screaming obscenities at the bitch. And, OMG, was she handed a ticket to freedom or what? Now Davos won’t know she burned Shireen, at least not for a while – until he hears gossip from the soldiers who bailed.

    Sansa, Run girl. good luck.

    WTF with Meryn Trant – he wanted to take switches to little girls? What kind of shit is that? So was Jaqen preparing Arya for that kind of nonsense when he hit her with sticks? I was so touched when he took the poison, not so happy that he blinded her – so … was that never him? Is it him now?

    Stannis. Oh, Stannis. Brienne. Duty. When a man knows his destiny. So much for imagined destiny, dude. He looked tired and resigned to me. I mean, how fucking embarrassing for him. Then, to be killed by a woman. Kind of POETIC, like your sweet innocent little daughter tried to explain to you. The only thing I can say about that scene is that Bolton troops coming at them reminded me of how Stannis’ troops looked when they took Mance. I was glad Stannis got nailed. Bye, guy.

    LMAO when Tyrion became ruler by default – was actually pushed into leadership. OMG, he will be great. Was glad to see Grey Worm. And Varys!! Don’t know what to say about Dany – I thought for a second Drogon was dying. It looked like he was dying. Hope not. But I don’t know what she’s going to accomplish with the Dothraki. It’s as though they rewound to the beginning of her story.

    Sam got away just in time. But Jon!!! OMG are they saying Jon is dead dead? for EVER? I can’t stand it. Will be watching closely for WotW to report that Kit was seen filming somewhere in Ireland. Will check in with you guys later.

  228. Sooooo assuming Jon is really dead and not coming back wtf was the point of the wall storyline or the white walkers and all the end of the world stuff? Is there even a reason to go back to the wall now?

  229. This was a great season and finale!

    I love how this Finale had less of a bang and more of a conclusion. It was refreshing in a way, and that very last scene did serve as a good shock value in some sense to make us wonder what the next scene will be next season.

  230. Notice that Kit said “I’m not coming back for next season.” He didn’t say anything about Season 7. There’s no way I believe that Jon is truly gone unless it’s confirmed by either the books or the show- and, if that’s the case, it’s absolute SHIT storytelling. There’s subverting fantasy cliches, and there’s just pointless deaths for the sake of pure shock value. This would be the latter.

  231. dothrakian raven,

    All you do is criticize other people.

    Do you have anything to add to the discussion or is that all you’re good for?

    Nvm, don’t bother answering that. I already know.

  232. My internet didn’t break. *pout*

    EDIT: When I tried to post this, my internet broke. hah!

  233. Arthur,

    I’m happy they did the blindness too.

    please, please, please D & D have her warg with cats!

    Watching the Inside the Episode, I was really happy they pointed out that Arya has not given up her identity as a Stark. She can’t cast it aside. Many people think she’s going to become a real FM. I think that’s crap!

  234. JTargs,

    Love! But we just had the Targaryen fireproof debate, and GRRM said that they aren’t. Fireproof, that is. What happened to Dany was the exception rather than the rule. But it could still happen, especially since Jon is AA.

  235. If this was the Dornish ep 9 content and on ep 10 they had Doran executing Ellaria + his speech to the SS it would have been so much better.

    Now let’s hope they do something great with it on season 6.

  236. I’m amused at how many people fell for Stannis’ “death” and are already waving him goodbye.

  237. Arthur,

    yes! One of those times I was very glad to be a Sullied, so I wasn’t as horrified with the show as I was after I read that chapter (then immediatly flipped through to her next chapter to see if it was true!)

  238. Ginevra:
    JTargs,

    Love!But we just had the Targaryen fireproof debate, and GRRM said that they aren’t.Fireproof, that is.What happened to Dany was the exception rather than the rule.But it could still happen, especially since Jon is AA.

    Very true that Targs aren’t fireproof. But Targ blood + fire magic = temporarily fireproof. We already saw that with Dany.

    I DON’T CARE IF I’M REACHING!

  239. It would probably make sense to not have certain curtain calls. With all the cliffhangers it would give too much away.

  240. Great episode. Although it us kind of annoying, I do like how they’ve left multiple cliffhangers, and now even us book readers don’t know what’s going to happen next

    It sure going to be fun speculating over the course of the next few months.

  241. Thronetender:
    LMAO when Tyrion became ruler by default – was actually pushed into leadership. OMG, he will be great. Was glad to see Grey Worm. And Varys!!

    I can feel a reckoning brewing in Meereen. Varys and Tyrion will be kicking major ass and wiping the floor with those Harpies. And Varys will undoubtedly find out who the leadership is.

  242. Kit said he is not in the show next season and vaguely said he is looking at a couple of films. Meanwhile they are casting for Ghost next season (should have already done more or him this season). But what about season 7? In the books it seems to me (dreams etc.) that he will be out for a stretch and then come back as Azor Ahai reborn. Very difficult to see how D&D or GRRM can really do without him permanently. If so then all the clues we have had were bogus …. that is just poor writing and I don’t believe it of GRRM..

  243. Arthur,

    Yes I do have a contribution to make. Dorne was fantastic. Ellaria killed it! And now take your curly hair and go to rest coz Jon Snow is the most dead thing in the Wall…

  244. Great episode. Looking forward to the curtain calls…
    Kind of pissed we didn’t get any clue that Jon survives, but it’s no different from the book, and Mel is there for him.
    Theon killing Myranda and saving Sansa was such a relief. I was worried he was going to stay Reek for ever.
    Stannis’s death was so ridiculous I almost laughed… And felt bad for him. Never new that day would come.
    My biggest issue is Meeren. It looks like they’re there for a while. I guess some time in season 6, someone will unleach Viserion and Rhaegal upon the city.

  245. Morgoth:
    I’m amused at how many people fell for Stannis’ “death” and are already waving him goodbye.

    Does denial come before anger in the five stages of grief? Because I was expecting the latter from the Stan stans 🙂

  246. Morgoth:
    I’m amused at how many people fell for Stannis’ “death” and are already waving him goodbye.

    Anyone who thinks Stannis is still alive is grasping at straws. He’s dead. Period. That was the end of his story: he risked everything, did terrible things, accomplished nothing, and lost. He’s done. That is the natural conclusion of the story of Stannis Baratheon.

  247. weirwoodtreehugger,

    Jon isn’t fireproof.

    He burnt his hand really bad in season 1 when he threw that lantern at the white walker. I remember thinking “guess he aint immune to fire”

  248. Maceless Fan,

    I remember the S4 dvd where there was an extra with Cogman sitting with all the actors who’s characters died that season, and noticing Rory McCann not being there. Makes me wonder if we’ll see Kit in the S5 round table. These quotes from GRRM in EW don’t help matters, either, since he’s being cagey. Or he just wants people to buy the new book and find out for themselves: http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/14/game-thrones-jon-snow-really-dead?hootPostID=7314533237f581955cd964feff2d6caf

  249. I wouldn’t want to be the one negative guy here but, damn, I’m so bummed about all the freaking cliffhangers that I’m not sure if the episode itself was good or not.
    Seriously, the cliffhangers didn’t work in the books, they didn’t work here. Like, at all.

    We have to wait until next season to see if Jon really died or not. We have to wait till next season to see what happens with Daeny and the Dothraki. Cersei’s trial. Sansa and Theon. Jaime and Myrcella.

    GOD. DAMNIT. There’s actual closure for basically nothing. Don’t think I’ve actually been pissed at a GoT episode before.
    (Rant over.)

  250. Lundy:
    I’m on a Kit Harington hair watch. If he cuts it, I guess Jon is done.

    The Entertainment Weekly article states in a parenthetical comment that a couple weeks after they did the interview he cut his hair.

  251. This is interesting concerning Stannis. It was posted on the EW site. I hope I’m doing this correctly.

    “In a book, you can present that kind of ambiguity,” Weiss said. “In a show, everybody sees it for what it is. It’s that rule: ‘If don’t see the body then they’re not really dead.’ Like when we cut Ned’s head off, we didn’t want a gory Monty Python geyser of blood, but we needed to see the blade enter his neck and cut out on the frame where the blade was mid-neck—it was longest discussion ever of where to cut a frame; two hours of talking about whether to cut at frame six or frame seven or frame eight. And that’s all by way of saying we needed Ned’s death to be totally unambiguous. I remember reading the book and going back and forth, like, ‘Did I miss something? Was [Ned] swapped out for somebody else?’ There’s a level of ambiguity because you’re not seeing something starkly represented. In the book, you can write around things to preserve a certain level of mystery that you have to commit to on screen.”

    http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/14/game-thrones-jon-snow-really-dead

  252. Gator,

    That is interesting and was my exact thought process.
    Sure, Stannis could be dead, but why not show the death blow if he is dead?

  253. RBloodworth,

    He didn’t say anything about Season 7.

    Hey, thats right!

    There’s no way I believe that Jon is truly gone unless it’s confirmed by either the books or the show- and, if that’s the case, it’s absolute SHIT storytelling. There’s subverting fantasy cliches, and there’s just pointless deaths for the sake of pure shock value.

    I totally agree with this.

  254. Well,

    I’m getting texts from all my friends and co-workers asking me if Jon Snow is really dead and IDK WTF to say.

    This sucks!

  255. Ravyn,

    If D&D pull another LS with Jon I am done with the show. If they went through the trouble of showing Beric being resurrected, and showing Melisandre seeing that, and still cut out both Jon and LS, it is complete BS. I need TWOW to be released before the show now. Write like the wind, George!

  256. Man I had myself a flashback to The Wire of Kenard killing Omar when Olly stabbed Jon!
    Damn young’uns!

  257. Whit Jon being totally dead (allegedly) I guess that means Lady Mel is now serves no purpose in the show

  258. TheJippaJappa,

    As someone mentioned elsewhere – welcome to the world of the book readers. Its been how many years since the last book? We are still waiting. At least you Unsullied won’t have quite as long to wait (hopefully!)

  259. Lots of questions for sure. I don’t think Stannis is dead. Wouldn’t the Boltons look for Stannis among the dead? or.. Maybe Stannis wants to take the Black and make a difference after all. I’m all for Brienne getting the kill, but IDK.

    Jon…. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

  260. Does the Merren ending set us up for Turion doing a

    Quentin Martell

    and trying to free the other two dragons? Also not terribly pleased w Danys ending. This is supposed to be a powerful moment for her and instead she’s weak and alone.

  261. Vyse: I think so as well. He was dead inside by that point.

    Yes. When Stannis didn’t correct Brienne by pointing out that, as the elder brother, he was entitled to Renly’s allegiance, and thus Renly was no king, I knew that was it for him. It didn’t matter anymore. It was all for nothing.

  262. Arthur:
    Well,

    I’m getting texts from all my friends and co-workers asking me if Jon Snow is really dead and IDK WTF to say.

    This sucks!

    Tell them “Now you know how I felt back in 2011.”

  263. LOL at all those who wishing that jon having a fireproof moment like dany

    like people who use to diss that scene used to say its a one time moment and the magic was done specifically by dany herself ..she was magic not needed the help of others

    and still people keep saying that jon is AA when there is five books of proofs for dany and not to mention only last week D&D confirmed she is the chosen one

    jon will come back maybe in the later part of next season or last season but he is not AAR/TPTWP..

  264. Thats how short Kits hair was this week, when he visited James Corden and The Late Late Show.

  265. Ness,

    i am guessing that jorah and darrio will come by that ring when they are searching for her next season

  266. ash,

    Oh, I’ve read the books. I’m just baffled that D&D didn’t fix this obvious shortcoming for the show.

    (To be fare, the season HAS been pretty packed, so it would probably have been pretty hard to not end most of the storylines in cliffhangers.)

  267. JawRah Mormont,

    Yes, and the interview with EW happened during the filming of the season. Kit did cut his hair, as it was several inches shorter 2-3 months ago, but it has mostly grown back. Now if he gets a buzz cut, you can probably count on him not being in season 6.

  268. Ginevra: Jon is only mostly dead.

    “It just so happens that your friend here is only MOSTLY dead. There’s a big difference between mostly dead and all dead. Mostly dead is slightly alive.”

    Funny thing was that I had completely forgotten about the Benjen thing by the end of the episode, but when Olly mentioned him I realized that it was going to be a trick to get to FTW. Well played, Sky Austria, well played.

  269. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    I don’t know who LS is cause I haven’t read the books
    But I really totally agree with this
    I think it would be stupid to kill Jon off. His character is amazing and his story is incomplete. I would be very unimpressed with the story going forward. I really think there is meaning to the resurrection we have seen. And Red woman’s interest in Jon Snow this whole time. She foreshadowed the darkness in Arya’s eyes, shes not that way off with her feelings.
    UGH PLEASE .

  270. One interesting point I have not seen talked about is, what do we think Mel knew / did not know? Was she intent on setting up Stannis ever since she saw Jon through the flames, or did she really just crap the bred? I was trying to watch Mel’s facial reactions on my re-watch and she seemed surprised that the men deserted. Then again, why did she just bounce? At some point she must have realized Stannis was done for. I just do not know if it was before or after she burned Shireen. Obviously, the theory that she was consciously working against him since they rode south, Jon has to end up alive.

    I am ready for the Mel / Davos / Jon / Wildlings / Northern houses take the Boltons next season plot. They could even do some stuff they have left out thus far.

  271. BranSnow,

    Yes, he hasn’t killed a main character just for shock value. 5 books and the second most POV chapters for nothing? What did Jon’s story accomplish and where can his death possibly take the story? I’m not seeing it. George is better than that. At least I sure as hell hope he is, or I’ve wasted my time with his books.

  272. Oh, calm your tits.

    Jon is not ‘dead’, but Kit could very well not be back next year. I mentioned once before how much it would mess with all of us, Sullied and Unsullied, if they left the Wall out for a season. They may very well do that.

    The season finale is not going to end like that and have the actors interviewed and say they’ll be back filming in a week. He probably will cut his hair. And people will lose their shit. And he’ll show up in Season 7.

  273. dragonbringer,

    His body is dead.Either he’s not coming back or he’s truly AAR at this point.I’m shocked.If he is a warg,he would have done that.Nothing happened,not even his last word just like in the books Ghost.

  274. So lots of interviews with Kit confirming Show Jon is really dead. Perplexed. I guess we will find out in a couple of months when season 6 filming starts

  275. Gooderson: I was trying to watch Mel’s facial reactions on my re-watch and she seemed surprised that the men deserted.

    I think she was clearly surprised because her vision was of the Boltons losing Winterfell – when the men deserted with the horses she realized that the victory she was seeing was not going to be Stannis’ and that she had royally f-ed up. And isn’t the fact that she’s back at the Wall point to her involvement with a certain resurrection? Wasn’t the whole fear about Jon’s situation this season because she wasn’t there like in the book? But now she’s there, well assuming Davos doesn’t kill her right off to start the premiere… hehe.

  276. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    no its not i have seen people jumping to say that dany is not fireproof when any new reader or tv watcher comes to the fandom and quoting that line it was one time event and not going to happen again ..
    and now people are wishing that jon will somehow survive and have his hair burnt and all LOL

    i can start pointing every line that indicates dany as AA and jon as AA and you will see the difference yourself

    and i am glad that there was no ser patrek in the show (a character created because grrm lost a bet ) and how fans made his sigil which is BLUE STAR by the way as the RED STAR that bleeds to make fit the theory that jon will be AAR

    Look i am not hater of any story lines or character in the books ..i love all of them and i did say that jon will come back mainly because he still has a story to finish and he is one of the main character and i am just against this idea that he is AA

    so if its just my opinion so be it and i will stick by it

  277. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    You think GURM is better than that? You shouldn’t think that you’ve wasted your time. You just have to accept that GURM killed off one of the two rays of hope in the story line. POV character or not, Jon is dead. GURM wrote him where is was blind to see what was going on around him, and that got him killed, just like his “Dad” and brother (they weren’t killed for shock value either). This is GURM’s MO, this is how he is writing this story.

  278. I definitely think that Jon’s getting resurrected. I think the showrunners and Kit are just carefully wording everything. technically “jon snow is dead,” technically, kit isn’t coming back next season playing jon snow. after he’s resurrected by either melisandre or other means he’s not jon snow, lord commander of the night’s watch, anymore.

  279. anyone think its possible that jon snow might not be back until late in season 6, maybe ep 9 and kit has filmed those scenes this past season

  280. It’s a sign that once they ran out of most source material the show has turned into utter mediocrity, if that.

    I won’t be back. (So you can keep cheering your now-average show. Might as well watch Scandal if I want something this dumbed down.)

  281. Also, another thing. I have never before compared the show to the books in a negative manner, but I did have a slight problem with For the Watch in the show. In the book, the NW only decided to ‘fire’ Jon after Jon essentially proved their fears right, making his big speech in regards to the pink letter, showing his wildling side so to speak, and forming up to march south. At THAT point Jon, you could argue, was in the process of breaking his vows. The NW coup was much more justified (and understandable) in the book than here.

    I am not sure that it makes sense for the NW to kill Jon after they just let him through the wall. In the book, there is ANOTHER mistake by Jon beyond letting the wildlings through. Here, the wildlings are already through, and we have no reason to believe anything additional happened to make them go from letting Jon back in and subsequently killing him. If they wanted to kill him, why let the wildlings in?

    So I do think the story makes a bit less sense without the pink letter scene.

    ALL THAT SAID, I still loved the episode and am already pumped for S6.

  282. Alix the Direwolf:
    Not really impressed.Everything was far too rushed.I used to like Game of Thrones because it didn’t treat it’s audience like idiots, but it really has this season.Were Olly, Ellaria, Arya, Brienne & Sansa supposed to be reveals?Far too telegraphed for far too long.Genuinely considering not bothering next season due to the pathetic dimming down of everything, particularly Dorne.

    I kept on hoping.Too late now.

    Bye! Do not let the door hit your arse when you leave.

  283. I forgot to include Cersei’s scene in my quick rehash. I was feeling sorry for everybody during that scene – a little sorry for the character, very sorry for the actress and body double, if there was one. Somebody said that they could tell it was Cersei’s face on someone else’s body, but I couldn’t see it. Don’t know whose body it was, but it was a very well-toned body. Yes, I loved seeing the flicker of Old-Cersei returning when Qyburn vowed revenge. Lena nailed it perfectly – she has all season. She’ll be in full revenge mode next season, especially when she finds out about Myrcella. She will be burning down cities then.

    I just read that EW interview with Kit — extremely upsetting. Hate to say it, but it does sound so permanent. If so, then everything said about Jon was just one big heap of uselessness. Why go through that coy revelation that GRRM asked B & W who they thought Jon’s mother was, if it was to mean absolutely NOTHING in the show? I’m sad and annoyed. Jon/Kit was my favorite. If he is completely off the show, even as another character, the whole thing has lost all its luster and has been reduced to a lump of ugly mush with little pieces of corn in it.

  284. Simeon,

    These are good points, I did not consider that she saw the horses and assumed it was Stannis. But she still had to know something to make her ride off, and is unclear what she knew / when she knew it. It also does not explain how she saw the burning Bolton sigil… Unless I missed something.

  285. Geralt of Rivia,

    yes i was shocked too

    i was a believer he will warg ghost and be in a comatose state still he gets back into his body possibily by bran or dany but there goes my

    there is a reason mel is returned to wall and she has seen what red god can do via THoros of MYr…

    he can comeback the same way BErric did and LSH did but i dont see what that has to do with being AAR…there needs to be other things that must be fulfilled of the prophecy to become AAR which jon is not going to do

    i remember CArrice saying she doesnt know what is important with jon and MEl will find why she is attracted towards him ..so she will help him comeback

    i just cant believe that jon will be dead forever ..that is one shitty storytelling and to think i have wasted my years and energy on this story i will get enrage if he stays dead

    but my hopes are on what sam said he will always comeback

  286. Lacey:
    I definitely think that Jon’s getting resurrected. I think the showrunners and Kit are just carefully wording everything. technically “jon snow is dead,” technically, kit isn’t coming back next season playing jon snow. after he’s resurrected by either melisandre or other means he’s not jon snow, lord commander of the night’s watch, anymore.

    Not really, because they didn’t say, “playing Jon Snow.” Kit said, “I’m not coming back next season.” Period. Finito. So if Kit Harington does any scene next season, this is a lie.

  287. Guess I spoke too soon. Don’t understand why GRRM would have us spend so much time in Jon’s head (4 books) to just kill him off so wastefully. What a waste of my time. I was pissed when I read it in the book and I’m pissed off now. 🙁

  288. Lundy:
    Guess I spoke too soon. Don’t understand why GRRM would have us spend so much time in Jon’s head (4 books) to just kill him off so wastefully. What a waste of my time. I was pissed when I read it in the book and I’m pissed off now.

    He’s coming back. Duh.

  289. Gooderson: It also does not explain how she saw the burning Bolton sigil… Unless I missed something.

    That was part of her visions – she saw the Bolton sigil burning, saw herself walking the walls of Winterfell, etc… and after burning Shireen should have secured victory, everything turned to shit. I think it was at that moment that she realized she was backing the wrong horse… and immediately left. What (if anything) that means for Jon, we have to wait and find out, just like I’ve been waiting on the damn books! LOL

    They’ve definitely changed the order of stuff around! Theon/Sansa(Jayne) jump off the wall and certainly won’t be captured by Stannis… so what happens there…?

  290. Ginevra,

    odds are they will be camping at that exact place dany dropped ..its just becoming predictable

    but what i didnt see coming is how dany scene ended ..if they are capturing dany and taking her back to vaes dothark ..

    how is she going to bring the khalsar under her controls as TSWMTW..

    are they going to have another DRogon coming and saving dany scene ..it will just turn repetitive

    how will darrio and jorah help to get her out

    so many questions

  291. Andrew:
    It’s a sign that once they ran out of most source material the show has turned into utter mediocrity, if that.

    I won’t be back. (So you can keep cheering your now-average show. Might as well watch Scandal if I want something this dumbed down.)

    Good riddance.

  292. D&D, I stood by with your decision to cut LS, but if you pull that shit with Jon, then we got problems.

    Anyway, I thought the final half of the episode was really strong. Cerse’s WOS was exactly as I imagined. Loved Dany being surrounded by Dothraku, although I hope all of next season isn’t spent on her still being in Essos.

    Strong episode, but once again, don’t fuck this up D&D. I still have faith in George.

  293. Boy this episode was terrible. The writing this season had been weak all along but with this laughable finale the show jumped the shark for me.

  294. Tyrion Pimpslap,

    But as of right now there is nothing to cut. We don’t know what George intends for the late Jon Snow. LS was a deliberate decision. JS is more hope at this point.

  295. I guess its also possible Jon Snow could return, but in another body, which means Kit wouldn’t be playing him?

  296. The “goodbye cruel world” messages here are funny. Who are you kidding? You know 99% of you are going to watch next season. Even if it’s just to hate-watch, you’re still gonna watch! 😉

  297. maybe jon snow wont be back but jon targaryen will be back

    and there is a difference in saying i wont come back and i wont be coming back next season

    as much as i love dany tyrion and arya …if jon is really dead then i will be pissed and the only sole happy thing about jon being dead is to see the smug little faces of some hardcore jon only fans in westeros.org vanishing

  298. Cerseis walk was perfect. Exactly like I felt when I read the scene in the book. At first happy that she was eating some comeuppance and then complete empathy. They nailed it. Lena nailed it too, she really made you fee for her and perk up with her vengeance eyes.

  299. Gator,

    As I said, I don’t believe George just ends Jon’s story that way. Not for a second. Lets look at this from a show perspective, if Jon is dead and gone, and Stannis and his army are gone. What now? What is left for Melisandre? Nothing! All that is left now is for the Wall to fall, the WW to invade, and for Dany and her dragons to fly in and save the day. They don’t need two seasons for that. If Jon is dead and gone, just end it with 6 seasons.

  300. Another reason Stannis is/should be dead from a storytelling perspective: where the hell would Brienne take Stannis? Renly is gone, she has no connection with the nights watch, cannot go to the Vale (loyal to LF). She could ride south for KL with Stannis in tow, but we already saw this with her and Jamie so it seems unlikely. Furthermore, why would she want to hand him up to the Lannisters, where he would die anyway, instead of killing him herself?

    Another problem. Dany dropping the ring. Even if we assume they find the charred bones and figure out they are on the right track — how would Jorah and Darrio even find the ring in the middle of miles-long grass plains.

  301. Broken_Iron:
    Boy this was terrible. The writing this season had been weak but with this episode the show jumped the shark.

    I don’t think you know what jumped the shark means….

  302. Ness:
    Dumb question and I’m sure it’s obvious: what was the significance of Dany dropping her ring?

    I would say it’s symbolic of her abandoning Hizdahr etc etc and by extension her rulership of Mereen, eg letting it all go and then becoming an all conquering Fire + Blood Targaryen Khaleesi again

  303. I am annoyed that their fan fiction ruined one of my favorite chapters in the series. Theon 1? From the winds of winter

  304. Maceless Fan:
    And why didn’t they mention the shit ton of dragonglass at Dragonstone?

    Because Samwell Tarly will learn of it there when he is in Oldtown. Chillax.

  305. So, does this mean that the “pink letter” is actually correct about Stannis being dead…?

  306. dragonbringer,

    By Dany?She can’t bring people from dead.Bran was always my option with Ghost.That’s gone now.

    His body is dead and that much is clear.Not wounded or badly injured.I see no point to do that,if he isn’t AAR or show version of this hero,to literally kill his body.Show is twisting story in many cases.They don’t have to go step by step…I guess.I’m speechless.

    If Jon is truly dead,that’s some horrible storytelling.I have to give masive props to D&D for this.People are mad over his scene.All over internet.

  307. Got so worked up before hand I got about 10 minutes in and had become so tense I had to wait a bit, then fast forward through each scene to see what happened, then go back and watch it at normal speed, to prevent myself from having a heart attack. For light relief I even found myself thinking well, Selyse certainly missed her calling as a professional noose knot tie-er; the rest of us would have just done one sturdy knot but that was a I’ve-done-this-before-I-know-exactly-what-it-takes-to-support-someone’s-body-weight (and presumably instantly break their neck which is the way execution by hanging was done in the real world).

    I don’t believe anyone is definitely dead unless we see absolute proof, so off-screen doesn’t count. That makes 3 dead, 2 likely but not 100% and 1 possible but unlikely for me personally. I thought Stannis came across as a completely broken man after his sacrifice not only came to nothing but resulted in many extra deaths, including his wife’s, and he would probably welcome death; he’s lost everything. The fact it was from someone avenging Renly, whose magic assisted death kind of kicked the whole thing off, was the final irony. Although like I said, didn’t see it doesn’t means it 100% happened. I thought killing Shireen would be the point at which his and Selyse’s eventual destruction started but certainly didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I’m also REALLY hoping that Sansa landed on Ramsay and broke his neck, but that he dies really slowly and painfully, unable to harm anyone else, having accidentally saved her from serious injury when she jumped. This show is turning me into a theoretical mass murderer! And my Valyrian is a bit nostril too 😉 It’s 5.30am time for delayed-but-worth-it bed 😀

  308. flintwielder,

    It must be a ‘red herrington’ 😉

    He can’t be done for good, who the hell else is there to follow at the wall? It would make that whole story line pointless. Along with the seeds planted, for ex. “the wildlings will never fight for Stannis” + Davos’ response, Mel saw herself walking the battlements (with who?) & seeing the flayed man banners burn, Stannis saying post battle the northeners know how to fight in snow, etc. etc. It sure as hell sounds to me like Mel revives Jon, he tells the NW to fuck off, joins his ARMY of the 2,000 wildlings he saved, & marches on Winterfell. Actually having a battle would help & oh yea, winning.

  309. Well Kit and D&D aren’t lying… Jon is dead. Melisandre wouldn’t perform a resurrection on someone who’s still alive after all. 😉

    Seriously though, anyone who thinks Jon is gone for good is a fool and hasn’t been paying any attention to either the show or the books (or to George who already hinted that Jon isn’t gone in an interview a while back). Jon will be back… he always comes back.

  310. Yep the episode just confirmed Jon Snow is really dead. all of you can keep being in denial and believe that Azor Ahai bullshit. Fuck you George and your stupid fetish for subverting tropes. The only reason the hardhome sequence was added was to give Jon some cool stuff to do before he gets killed off for no reason.

  311. Well…that was something. They ended the season like the books, leaving Sullied and Unsullied now completely equal. Bravo.

    Stannis. What a fucking tragedy. Dillane was masterful.

    And give Lena an Emmy now.

    For the Watch. Disappointed that Thorne took part in it. My one gripe with the Ides of Snow moment other than that was actually filmed better than Caesar’s death in Rome in my opinion.

    As for Jon/Kit’s fate. Kit Harrington will be a surprise guest star in season 6. Jon Snow is dead. He will play a new character : “Jon Targaryen”

  312. Hold on. Just remembered Carice’s “I have another big scene with Jon this season” interview. Who remembers that!?

  313. No doubt. Realized I phrased it wrong after I wrote it. Sorry for that

    Abyss:
    Zeus,

    Nothing is ruined. The chapter is still in the books and you can read it whenever you want.

  314. Who is left to deal with the Boltons now? Get hype for the Greatjon’s return.

  315. Was really expecting Warg eyes from Jon at the end, probably shit-stirring everyone by not including it

    Looking forward to the compilation video of millions of women screaming….

    Wasn’t expecting Melisandre to return to the Wall either though so….I reckon they are just skipping the whole Jon-in-Ghost adventure which would be hard to convey on TV

    I’ll just happily ignore the plot-hole that is Ghost would be able to detect this conspiracy in motion if it means a quick and clean resurrection via Mel – best bit is that this would mean Jon Snows “vows for life” are null and void, and he’ll have Davos to help him!

    Well, good thing about the Ice is that it delays corruption, if Mel does do a Thoros on him it should be a well-preserved body to go back into unlike a certain other person…

  316. JTargs,

    I do! I was wondering whether I’d remembered it incorrectly, or something, and a re-air started, so I watched it. I definitely remember her saying that!

  317. That walk of shame was as close as the show has come to nailing a scene from the books in several seasons, IMO. By that, I mean it was almost exactly as I imagined it. It was brutally perfect.

  318. JTargs:
    Hold on. Just remembered Carice’s “I have another big scene with Jon this season” interview. Who remembers that!?

    It was misquoted to oblivion. She said she had another big scene, not scene with Jon Snow.

  319. Wait, so the 100 NW men let Jon first bring all the 5000 wildlings south of the wall and then kill Jon because he brought them down south? Why let him in at the first place??? Are all of them suicidal and want to be killed??? How is this helping the watch??? This makes no sense whatsoever.

    Also, thousands sons of the harpy in the stadium in the last episode killing everyone and now they say the city is “at the brink of a civil war” and it will be difficult to rule. Ahem, I thought the sons took the city last episode. How did Jorah, Tyrion and Darrio even survive once Dany left? This makes no sense.

    And the Boltens have suddenly a gigantic Army on horse? When did that happen?

    Apparently we also didn’t hate Meryn Trant enough so let’s make him beat some little girls. – Very subtle writing D&D (ugh!).

    As soon as Myrcella said she knew and said she was glad that Jamie was her father we all knew she was going to die. This whole having-a-nice-moment-before-you-die thing has become far too predictable.
    Also, Sand Snakes suck! The scene between Bronn and Tyene was cringeworthy. Well, it fits with the whole Dorne plot which was terrible.

    Bad finale of an dissapointing season.

  320. Tyrion, that as about perfect of a scene from the books as I’ve seen since season 1.

    Tyrion Pimpslap:
    That walk of shame was as close as the show has come to nailing a scene from the books in several seasons, IMO. By that, I mean it was almost exactly as I imagined it. It was brutally perfect.

  321. I notice in that EW article with George and D&D, they mention the ambiguity of an off-screen “death” which adds some credence to the Stannis speculators…

  322. Geralt of Rivia,

    that was one of my pet theory

    three fires she will light

    one for the dead – aemon

    one for the life – drogo

    one for the love – jon ..she will learn his parentage and perform a ritual …there is a particular line in TWOIAF how the sun goes into hiding in the LONG night and a girl with Monkey tail sings the song to bring the sun back

    in the story jon is constantly associated with the sun and dany is the girl with monkey tail(dragons) and hers is the song of ice and fire

  323. Just one final thought: Mel seeing visions of burning Bolton banners, her at Winterfell etc could still turn out to be correct after all. She assumed it was because of Stannis’s attack but what if – and this is obviously total speculation based on nothing but my imagination, no spoilers here unsullied Watchers – she tries to revive Jon, using what she saw the BWB do in series 3, and is successful? Jon could presumably tell the NW to go f**k themselves and, freed of his vows, can do whatever he likes. He might hear about Sansa’s marriage and be involved in a successful attack on the Boltons, could even rope in the Wildlings for it. This might be what she actually saw; she doesn’t need to be there when the attack happens and could walk the battlements (or whatever she said, can’t remember the exact wording) afterwards? IIRC She only said she saw herself there, not anyone else. Sooooo many possibilities. And now our 9 month or so watch begins for series 6 🙂

    EDIT: Brando, I see you had the same idea, sorry I hadn’t seen your post when I did this one.

  324. Thronetender:
    Why go through that coy revelation that GRRM asked B & W who they thought Jon’s mother was, if it was to mean absolutely NOTHING in the show?

    To ask the question is to answer it.

  325. One of Roose Bolton’s leeches:
    Who is left to deal with the Boltons now? Get hype for the Greatjon’s return.

    Yep, Davos to collect Rickon and hope to see the Greatjon lead a northern rebellion, plus a revived vow-Jon + Tormund to rally the Wildlings for a march onto Winterfell.

    Critically Sansa has escaped so the Boltons tenuous claim to legitimacy has crumbled

    Happy to hear of Mel walking the Walls of Winterfell and to see the Bolton banners burning, been wanting to see that ever since I saw the Stark banners burning at the Twins

  326. Actually if we have Greyjoys maybe we have northern conspiracy next season. Davos is still alive for some reason on the show. Dare I hope for Wyman?

  327. Anyway, literally the best episode.

    Unequivocally refusing to believe Jon stays dead. Kit may even be telling the truth wholesale, but Jon will still return. Somehow.

  328. Ghost’s Lunch,

    Gods, I need to see Jon defeat the Boltons. I need it! This is going to be a long wait. Hurry up George, I have a birthday in January and the release of TWOW would be the perfect gift, so long as Jon is revived in said book.

  329. Winter Passed:
    Wait, so they let Jon first bring all the wildlings south of the wall. And then decide to kill Jon so they all can be killed by the wildlings. 100 NW men vs. 5000 wildlings? It just makes no sense whatsoever.

    Also, thousands sons of the harpy in the stadium in the last episode killing everyone and now they say the city is “at the brink of a civil war” and it will be difficult to rule. Ahem, I thought the sons took the city last episode. How did Jorah, Tyrion and Darrio even survive this once Dany left? Nothing makes any sense.

    And the Boltens have suddenly a gigantic Army on horse? When did that happen?

    Apparently we also didn’t hate Meryn Trant enough so let’s make him beat some little girls. – Very subtle writing D&D (ugh!).

    As soon as Myrcella said she knew and said she was glad that Jamie was her father we all knew she was going to die. This whole having-a-nice-moment-before-you-die thing has become far too predictable. Also, Sand Snakes suck! The scene between Bronn and Tyene was cringeworthy. Well, it fits with the whole Dorne plot which was terrible.

    Bad finale of an dissapointing season.

    I thought it was great

    Only way to make it logical that someone Arya’s age would be in that type of situation with Trant ala Mercy and Raff the Sweetling

    Physical beating with a stick is better than seeing actual sexual violence…

    Great final episode, obviously hard to miss the fact that they’ve sped up whatever Stannis’s arc is to clear the casting roster

    Plus I watched WoS closely, that was fantastically done

    As for the Harpies, don’t think they “took” the city, just caused mayhem, the Masters families have probably bunkered down in their pyramids and Unsullied in the great pyramid

  330. Winter Passed: Wait, so they let Jon first bring all the wildlings south of the wall. And then decide to kill Jon so they all can be killed by the wildlings. 100 NW men vs. 5000 wildlings? It just makes no sense whatsoever.

    How did Jorah, Tyrion and Darrio even survive this once Dany left? Nothing makes any sense.

    Alliser was hoping Jon would die at Hardhome. Jorah & Co survived because all the Harpy fled the arena.

  331. I don’t want to get off on a rant here, but….

    Where was the “Ghost” from Jon?

    Why did the fucking Sand Snakes get so many pointless lines and *slapsies* but Mel can’t have one-effing-line, ya know, just a throwaway warning to Jon to keep his wolf close…Or maybe say something about why she came back to the wall? Or, even better, a monologue this season giving us some insight into her visions of Jon when looking into her flames? All we got from her towards Jon was trying to use sexy time with him to make more sex-magic-things happen. This episode made it unclear if she had a “whoopsie, my bad” in that she didn’t see how things would go for Stannis, or if she did it on purpose.
    — This show is known for some awesome monologues/dialogues (e.g., “Chaos is a ladder”, Any scene between QoTs & Tywin, Robert’s “one united army” speech to Cersei, Catelyn’s history with Jon Snow, etc…), so it is pretty disappointing we had very little of that in the latter half of this season where it really could have made a difference as to Melisandre.

    Drogon looked really good this episode and the scene with Dany was pretty cute. Dothraki were cool but they could have cut, like, half a second from their merry-go-round to show a shadow of Drogon flying over or landing behind her.

    Overall, I really did enjoy the last 3 episodes. But I only loved Hardhome and I only appreciated the few scenes that did the book Justice in Mother’s Mercy. Regardless of going off page with story lines this season – they have managed to do this well in the past, so it’s not just that divergence – I am unsure what exactly wasn’t translating this season……

    A friend of mine said it best, this season has just been less compelling than previous seasons. I hope D&D are listening to fans in crafting next season.

  332. Brando:
    flintwielder,

    It must be a ‘red herrington’

    He can’t be done for good, who the hell else is there to follow at the wall? It would make that whole story line pointless. Along with the seeds planted, for ex. “the wildlings will never fight for Stannis” + Davos’ response, Mel saw herself walking the battlements (with who?) & seeing the flayed man banners burn, Stannis saying post battle the northeners know how to fight in snow, etc. etc. It sure as hell sounds to me like Mel revives Jon, he tells the NW to fuck off, joins his ARMY of the 2,000 wildlings he saved, & marches on Winterfell. Actually having a battle would help & oh yea, winning.

    But… all the siege weapons were burned.

    Oh wait, no problem. Wun Wun, open that gate, please.

  333. To those who say that Cersei’s walk was too long; you’re wrong. It was excruciating and uncomfortable. Just as it should be. It wouldn’t have had an impact if they cut it short.

  334. Lulu’s Mum:
    Just one final thought: Mel seeing visions of burning Bolton banners, her at Winterfell etc could still turn out to be correct after all. She assumed it was because of Stannis’s attack but what if – and this is obviously total speculation based on nothing but my imagination, no spoilers here unsullied Watchers – she tries to revive Jon, using what she saw the BWB do in series 3, and is successful? Jon could presumably tell the NW to go f**k themselves and, freed of his vows, can do whatever he likes. He might hear about Sansa’s marriage and be involved in a successful attack on the Boltons, could even rope in the Wildlings for it. This might be what she actually saw; she doesn’t need to be there when the attack happens and could walk the battlements (or whatever she said, can’t remember the exact wording) afterwards? IIRC She only said she saw herself there, not anyone else. Sooooo many possibilities. And now our 9 month or so watch begins for series 6

    Yeah

    Given he saved them all the Wildlings would follow a revived Jon IMO so he would have an army which includes a Giant. Plus they are experts in northern winter-based warfare like the clansmen

    I reckon they’ll do a Rickon reveal and there will be a northern rebellion next season which is where the disciplined tactics come in

    Jon Stark cometh!

  335. Yes, I know that we are supposed to be a little creeped out at Arya’s vengeance – but I don’t care. It was cathartic. I loved every moment of it.

    For Season 6: Theon and Sansa are hunted and soon found by Ramsay. Ramsay is found by Podrick Payne. I like Pod’s chances!

    That still leaves us with Roose Bolton – but it also leaves us with Lord Petyr Baelish and the Knights of the Vale – who are on the way. I like Littlefinger’s chances, too. And with Littlefinger in Winterfell, I especially like Sansa’s chances of returning to the castle. That one should have a nice little kick at the end.

    GRRM didn’t ask D&D about Jon Snow’s mother at a 5 hour luncheon that neither of them have ever answered — because SURPRISE it didn’t matter anyway. Relax people.

    And the Benjen bit in the “Previously on Game of Thrones” intro was a brilliant serving of misdirection.

  336. Robb Snow:
    Well Kit and D&D aren’t lying… Jon is dead. Melisandre wouldn’t perform a resurrection on someone who’s still alive after all.

    Seriously though, anyone who thinks Jon is gone for good is a fool and hasn’t been paying any attention to either the show or the books (or to George who already hinted that Jon isn’t gone in an interview a while back). Jon will be back… he always comes back.

    Speaking of GRRM hinting that Jon will come back. I remember reading somewhere (maybe on this website, or maybe I just saw it in a youtube video) that GRRM was impressed with how Tolkein killed so many important characters, which eventually set up Gandalf’s return as Gandalf the White (or whatevs, I never finished reading or watching LOTR) all the more surprising. So, IDK, maybe that is a hint. I hope.

    Jon Snow is a [The?] hero. We must be concerned for the hero, watch the hero repeatedly struggle, and then be truly awestruck when the hero triumphs.

  337. The previouslytv.com Unsullied room is glorious right now! Go pop some popcorn and grab a drink.

  338. SteelWind,

    My season 6 thoughts:
    Theon and Sansa are recovered by Brienne and Pod- Who bring them to Kings Landing where she thinks Jamie will keep her safe. Jamie kills Cerse who has lost her mind in murder lust to protect Sansa.
    John, Davos, Mellisandra, and wildlings march to Winterfell to take out the Boltons and find the Stark boys.
    What happens to the Nights Watch?
    Are the Dothraki taking her hostage, or celebrating the return of their queen?
    What does Arya do next?
    Does Littlefinger take out Kevan and Pycelle?
    What role is Bran going to play?
    ????????

  339. So it certainly seems that Jon is dead. I know, I know, if he was coming back, he certainly wouldn’t say that in an interview. But Kit didn’t say “yeah, I think Jon’s dead. He was stabbed 6 times, so I don’t know how he could survive.” He flat out said D&D told him he was done, that he’s not coming back next season, that he’s got movie roles lined up…

    And wouldn’t it be leaked in the off season that Kit was seen filming, or at the very least that Kit is spending a few months in Northern Ireland? I just don’t understand how they could hide Jon returning.

    But still…
    – what purpose would his death serve? I literally can’t think of how this could advance the plot at all. Thorne takes his place at the Wall, and maybe tries to make the Wildlings leave? It’s just so… inconsequential.
    – Why would George/D&D care about Jon’s parentage (and hint at it this season) if he’s dead? His parentage won’t matter if he’s gone.
    – So why is Mel back at the Wall? Again, I can’t think of anything that she could do there if she doesn’t resurrect Jon. Give the Nights Watch advice for the encroaching Walkers?

    Literally all signs point to Kit actually being done, but at the same time, it just doesn’t make sense on a narrative level. It won’t progress the plot, leaves plot threads dangling, leaves us without a POV at the Wall besides Mel… I don’t really know what to think. Of course, I’ll never quit watching the show; I love it. But if Jon is dead, it certainly feels like shock value, and entirely unjustified narratively speaking.

  340. TheRealHotPie,

    The best part of it is that there is no talk about giving up on the series. At all. D&D were wise to end it like Martin did. Gotta love their marketing and PR.

  341. I just want to give a shout out to Stephen Dillane…a masterful performance from Day 1.

    Give him an Emmy. HBO should campaign him for Best Supporting Actor.

  342. First off, Apologies to Axeyfabulous. He knows why. (Dude, if we ever meet, I’m buying the beer because………reasons.)
    I’ve made no secret of my opinion of the direction of the narrative this season. I’ve come to the conclusion that this may be my only criticism. My initial assessment was correct. This is the season of the Actors. Especially tonight. Sophie, Stephan, Maisie, Kit, LENA..across the board, stellar performances from everyone.
    Really, the difference between the Sullied and Unsullied fans is closing. there aren’t too many events left. SO….

    RE: Cersei. I am hoping (really hoping) a certain matter from Tywin’s funeral will be back in.
    RE: Jon Snow. At the onset of this season Isaac Hempstead-Wright said, “I won’t be in next season.” ..and he wasn’t. Just a thought.
    Despite all my rage, I remain, Ser Diplomatic the Hedge Knight. Cheers!

    “There must always be a Stark in Winterfell”

  343. Ravyn,

    Yeah, but if Jon stays dead AND they cut LS then Thoros bringing back Beric all those times wouldn’t add up to anything. Maybe Jon’s absent next season (like Bran was this season) but he’s definitely not gone for good. I would find it funny if we found out about Jon’s parentage while he’s dead and before he actually finds out.

  344. Joshua Atreides,

    I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot of people talking about giving up on it now that Jon is gone and there aren’t really very many characters they like left. I’m not sure how a lot of people will feel if Jon really is gone. I was really pissed when I read it in the book, but assumed after a while that he would be back. If not, that calls into question a lot of storytelling and how much trust I ought to be having for both D and D and George. I mean I love the show and the episode was pretty great and I loved the first three books and liked the last two somewhat (even though I thought there was a ton of filler, I still care about the characters), but I’m sort of taken aback by the interviews and all. I think they’re making a big mistake and perhaps misjudging the audience.

    Especially after this season and this episode, as dark as it’s been.
    Jesus, guys, throw us a bone here.

  345. Brendon,

    That’s because Jon’s story isn’t over. They didn’t have Melisandre learn about resurrection from Thoros in Season 3, develop an unusual interest in Jon this season, then return to the Wall exactly when she’s needed, all for no reason.

    Kit and D&D will play mind games for a while but Jon’s story is far from over. Have faith.

  346. If Jon Snow was just a 5-season Quentyn, I may buy book 6 just to make sure and then never buy again.

    I mean what is the point? The guy should just off himself and leave us out of it.

  347. That was a hell of an episode! Bring out the dead, indeed.

    Dorne was almost justified by offing Myrcella with the poisoned kiss of peace. Clever, though I immediately guessed Ellaria had the antidote. The ship won’t turn around, so I’m curious about what Trystane will do in KL, how Jamie will handle the death, and how Cersei will react. She will certainly feel Maggi the Frog’s doom coming true.

    Arya–bless the little she-devil. That level of brutality was surely provoked by Trant’s outrageous behaviour in the brothel. And using that hand dagger gave a death of small cuts and punctures, thus prolonging the agony. But it was overkill–Trant’s face was almost as messed up as Oberyn’s. I’m glad her blinding occurred–in the books it actually furthers her skills in so many ways. Great job by Maisie, finding her rage.

    KL and the Walk of Shame–Loved it all. Cersei’s subtextual negotiation with the High Sparrow, the WOS ritual itself, Septa Unella’s bell and rhythmic “Shame. Shame. Shame,” and of course Cersei’s agony/rage/shame…and proud bearing. Qyburn’s tenderness and the gleam in Cersei’s eyes when she meets Ser Robert Strong were perfect. Episode acting crown and courage award goes to Lena Headey.

    Battle of Winterfell–Stannis is dead. You don’t have to see a death for it to have occurred. But losing Mel (that coward), Selyse, the army, the battle RIGHT AFTER killing Shireen confirms my theory that in the GRRM/GoT universe child murder is the greatest sin (and child preservation the greatest good, a la Ned). Stannis was a kinslayer as well. No wonder the gods made quick work of him. Amazingly, Gendry AKA Edric is now head of House Baratheon! I’m glad Reek became Theon and helped Sansa escape via snowdrift plunge. Presumably Brienne and Pod will rescue them, or they could hitch a ride with Sam and Gilly. But how disappointing that all Sansa did with that auger is use it to open a door. And she left it–an item with a pointy end–behind. Sorry, but she’s not a player yet.

    Meereen–Dany + Drogon + Dothraki has possibilities, but Tyrion in charge of Meereen with Varys along–that’s exciting. If Jon is permanently dead, maybe Tyrion will get the Iron Throne. No major character is more unlikely or more deserving.

    Jon–Clever of D&D to mislead by using Benjen merely as the pretext to lure Jon to the Senate house, er, ambush. Alliser was first and as I predicted, last was Et Tu Olly. I’m not a Jon or L+R=J fan, but I’ve come to accept that theory and that he’s The Song.
    So I was disappointed not to hear “Ghost”. And I don’t believe the EW article. Maybe Jon will miss a season a la Bran, but what is dead shall rise again.

  348. When that Bolton army came over the ridge, I thought they would go up in flames, y’know with Melisandre’s vision of the Bolton banners etc. Then they got slaughtered so I guess that didn’t happen.

    So Shireen’s death really bought nothing for Stannis. Just a puddle! Talk about a dud! 😛

    And Balon Greyjoy yet lives (as far as we know) so…maybe the leeches were fake?

  349. Cameryn: The Entertainment Weekly article states in a parenthetical comment that a couple weeks after they did the interview he cut his hair.

    I’m confused about this though… Hasn’t Kit appeared on several talk shows within the past week (which I believe they film the day of or at least within a day or two of airing) with his usual long hair?? Are they saying he cut it, like, this weekend? Seems a bit sketch, that comment.

  350. thornofhighgarden,

    No, he did cut it after he was finished filming. But he has since grown it back out, and it is nearly the same length it was in the show. And conveniently, Kit now says he will keep it long moving forward. Jon is dead, but he will rise again.

  351. dreamlife613,

    “Cersei – eh. Too much time spent on glorifying Cersei’s/Lena’s humiliation. Great acting though – made me care about her when she started crying.”

    You see things through a very strange lens. That was absolutely harrowing and got exactly the right amount of time. This was her ultimate humiliation, and like so much in GoT, reminds us that even for the people we hate we should retain basic human sympathy.

  352. Gooderson,

    I agree – in the books, I’d have stabbed Jon too. Not so in the show.

    But, while they improved Jon by not doing the pink letter, they took away a lot of his good qualities as a leader too (not sending Sam away, letting him do the silly Hardhome run etc). So in some ways it balances out.

  353. i guess the iron bank of braavos with this loss will now look at daenerys to recoup all its losses

  354. In LOTR there is a repeating motif of death, resurrection and redemption. The Gandalf the Grey to Gandalf the White is just the most obvious. Strider/Aragorn has a near death experience, the plunge over the cliff during the battle with the Wargs that is messed up in the difference between the theatrical release version of the Two Towers and the extended version on CD. In the extended version, the horse that belonged to Eowen’s brother (who died) finds Aragorn at the river’s edge and Aragorn rides the horse to Helms’ Deep. Merry and Pippin are both thought to be dead at the beginning of the Two Towers when they start their separate journey with the Ents.

    I’m Just Sayin’,

  355. So question here: is the waif dead? It all wen so fast i did not register. Must be the highest leading/supporting actor cast ever though regardless. 7 and counting. After all do we know theon and Sansa survived that jump?

  356. One thing that jumped out at me, watching the Meryn Trant/Arya scene, was that at the beginning they staged the scene in such a way that it reminded me of when Trant beat up Sansa at Joffrey’s orders, so later, when Arya kills him, I felt that Arya was unknowingly taking revenge for her sister as well.

  357. That news about Kit growing his hair out again…

    …I’ve never been so ecstatic upon reading about another man’s taste in hair length.

  358. Beric Dondarrion and Thoros of Myr is the living proof that the Lord of Light can resurrect dead people.

  359. Gooderson:

    Another problem. Dany dropping the ring. Even if we assume they find the charred bones and figure out they are on the right track — how would Jorah and Darrio even find the ring in the middle of miles-long grass plains.

    I’ve had time to think about this issue since my metal detector jab.

    Darrio: Have you ever tracked animals in the wilderness?
    Tyrion: Not precisely, but I have other skills that would be useful.

    How does one track a dragon, precisely? Droppings that are hundreds of miles apart? Uh, no. That would take years, and by that time, the droppings would be gone. They will, however, be able to track the Dothraki horses since even Tyrion could tell that dozens or even hundreds of horses had been running in circles around something in that particular spot in the Dothraki Sea. How Darrio and Jorah will know to look at that exact spot in the vast Dothraki Sea is a complete mystery, however, and it will likely be as magical a coincidence as Melisandre’s apparating to Castle Black. (Are you a witch or not?) But at least there will be some logical, believable tracking after that point.

  360. Ryan E:
    Stannis is definitely dead.There is no reason at all to think otherwise.They clearly were showing the swing that finished him.

    Yeah plus the bleeding from the mortal knife wound to the kneck

    They are showing him respect by the fact that even when Mel had deserted him he obviously knew the whole thing was a shambles yet he marched forward and fought dying like a brave man

    Soldiers didn’t seem to march in formation all that much, surprised at no Hedgehog formation when they saw the Horses approaching but oh well…

    Didn’t see his body get crushed out of respect for Stannis the Mannis fans

    Ironically Brienne was not only getting revenge for Renly, the fact that she used Stark Valyrian Steel was also revenge for the blood magic used against Robb…

    The irony of Brienne declaring in the name of Renly of the “House Baratheon” was not lost on me as Brienne was at that moment extinguishing the Baratheon family…

    Certainly the Royal Baratheon dynasty with that swing but perhaps also the Lordly one which holds Storms End.

    Maybe SE will pass to cousins?

  361. Obviously I’m really hoping the Kit interview is a fake out

    Everyone wants Jon to be resurrected and it is possible we are all in denial

    Having a terrible feeling this story is going to rip my GoT heart out by really making him dead

    Thing is “Jon Snow” could revive in someone elses body

    Would be a real utter tragedy but as they say that happens in real life

    Some consolation though that the Bolton banners will burn, hopefully the Giant smashing Snow Winterfell in the Eyrie is a prelude to Wun Wun helping lay siege…

  362. Lol, it’s getting to the point where I will become nonplussed about the White Walkers descending on Westeros and smashing the place to bits

    That would be quite something…

  363. Ghost’s Lunch,

    That all said, it would make perfect sense if they are trying to avoid any kind of spoiler for WoW with respect to GRRM

    Other side of that coin though is that GRRM has to finish WoW before season 6, or at least do a pre-release on his blog of the Jon resurrection reveal as it will be near impossible to cover up the fact that Harrington will be on set,

    The fact they didn’t give him a Rose style bow and arrow etc is a bit of a clue perhaps?

  364. dragonbringer,

    Night’s Watch will try to burn Jon’s body.You don’t want Jon Snow wight lurking around.

    It sounds nice,but I doubt that’s what’s gonna happen.Not everything is connected to Dany,but it’s a nice theory.I think he’s either dead or Mel will revive him.It’s interesting that she’s at the Wall at the same time.

  365. justsayin,

    True. And if the interviews don’t lie, that’s our best case scenario, although that still would be deceitful in the “dead is dead” quote. However, I cannot see how our warrior hero (AA, TPTWP) could possibly miss the entire season of war. That’d be like a Harry Potter movie without Harry. What would there be left for Jon (and everyone else in Westeros) come spring if he didn’t fight in the winter wars?

  366. Any one watch Jimmy Kimmel..from a few days ago…Kit is still sporting the long hair and beard..hmmmmm

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