[Updated!] New photos from Game of Thrones Season 6, Episode 3 “Oathbreaker”

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Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
HBO has just released photos from the third episode of Game of Thrones season 6. The episode, which will be called “Oathbreaker,” will feature more visions with Bran Stark and the first appearance this season for Samwell Tarly and Gilly.

Official episode synopsis:  Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) meets her future. Bran meets the past. Tommen confronts the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce). Arya (Maisie Williams) trains to be No One. Varys (Conleth Hill) finds an answer. Ramsay gets a gift.

Photos below the cut!

Update 5/5: We’ve added even more new images from episode 3 to the post.

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Anton Lesser as Qyburn. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

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Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
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Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO
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Max von Sydow as the Three-Eyed Raven. Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO
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Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen. Photo: Macall B. Polay/HBO
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Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

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Max von Sydow as the Three-Eyed Raven and Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark. Photo: HBO.com
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Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen. Photo: HBO.com

There are more new episode 3 images from Farfarawaysite, including a shot of Kevan Lannister, showing off a new promotion.

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Tyrion, Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) and Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel)
Cersei Mountain
Cersei and her mountainous Kingsguard (Hafþór Björnsson)
CJ
Cersei, Jaime and the Kingsguard
Grey Miss
Grey Worm and Missandei
Grey Worm
Grey Worm. I like those new clothes, GW.
Kevan
Kevan Lannister (Ian Gelder) returns, wearing the pin of the Hand of the King
Qhono
Qhono (Staz Nair) of the Dothraki
Tyrion
Tyrion, another pose.

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

588 Comments

  1. Oh no. What is Qyburn doing around children? It’s like Krieger with Lana’s baby.

  2. I must be the only one who likes the Arya scenes. Even if not a lot of new information is happening, I think Maisie just sells every emotion and finds new layers. Every time I see her act, I feel she’s experiencing that moment for the first time and that’s exciting, even the scene itself seems repetitive.

  3. The picture with Qyburn…is that the scene from the trailer where the girls are stabbing someone?

  4. Davos!! I need more pictures from the Wall! lol

    So I’m guessing we won’t see Sansa this episode? 🙁

    Very excited for the Tower of Joy and Bran! What is Qyburn doing with those children?

  5. Why the Dothorakis didn’t give Dany a horse ? , it doesn’t make any sense
    Also do you think we will see Sansa and Co. in this new episode?

  6. Ravyn,

    I also like the Arya scenes. I hope her story gets moving a little bit quicker the rest of the season but I think Maisie is always great.

  7. Flayed Potatoes:
    Davos!! I need more pictures from the Wall! lol

    So I’m guessing we won’t see Sansa this episode? ?

    Very excited for the Tower of Joy and Bran! What is Qyburn doing with those children?

    I imagine Sansa will be in this episode. I don’t see her missing an episode so early in the season.

  8. Ravyn:
    I must be the only one who likes the Arya scenes. Even if not a lot of new information is happening, I think Maisie just sells every emotion and finds new layers. Every time I see her act, I feel she’s experiencing that moment for the first time and that’s exciting, even the scene itself seems repetitive.

    Arya storyline was one of my favourites in season 5. It was slower than most people would have liked but I thought the writing, acting etc was great. Maisie in particular did a fantastic job.

    Ive also liked her two brief appearances this season but hope they start doing more with Arya in the next few episodes

  9. Davos looks like he’s just seen a Ghost…and an un-dead Jon. 🙂
    Jaime looks either pissed off or thinks Cersei is out of her mind. Tension between those two will be rising.
    Qyburn plus little street children cannot be good. Haven’t we seen them in another pic wielding knives. Uh-oh.
    I just love Max Von Sydow.

  10. The Children of the Corn choir with Qyburn, I think I might know where that is going from the trailer…

    Davos’ dumbstruck face, with the jacked up door behind him makes me think this is him seeing Jon came back after all. (I need a reaction shot of every character who finds out Jon Snow came back to life.)

    I wonder if we will get some Drogon action in Dany’s story this week.

    I miss Sam and Gilly. But, ToJ!!!!!!!!!!

  11. Mihnea,

    Do we know where or just that he leaves? I love when the show fills in George’s blanks (like where was Varys between leaving Tyrion and finding Kevan
  12. I wonder if those kids are

    Vary’s

    and they’re there to kill Qyburn…

    Of it those kids are Qyburn’s and he’s sending them to kill

    Kevan and Pycelle

  13. r-hard,

    Give Olly a break. He’s not Joff. I did like when he stormed at Tormund in Home and Tormund had this look like…well only Tormund could recreate it.

  14. Qyburn = Varys: my thought exactly!

    Who else thinks ResJonny is asking Edd for his chopping block again?

  15. WalterHarrow:

    Ive also liked her two brief appearances this season but hope they start doing more with Arya in the next few episodes

    You know what I like about Arya…that she’s bruised and bloody. I feel like characters get into fights on this show…and none of them display any outward signs (i.e. Brienne when she fought the Hound, or Jon when he fought that Thenn). People get their asses kicked and come out looking normal. So, I’m super happy at the “realness” of Arya’s bruises and broken lip.

  16. Are Sam & Gilly actually confirmed in this ep? Not in the promo, not in the synopsis, not in the pictures…

  17. Considering where Qyburn’s allegiance lies, perhaps those kids will be getting stabby with the High Sparrow eventually.

  18. Is Qyburn gonna be the one responsible for Kevan Lannister and Pycell´s death? Also,am I imagining things or do Jon´s scars have a curious Westeros Map pattern?

  19. Very excited to see TOJ this weekend.

    Arya’s storyline throughout the first 5 seasons has been one of my favorites, but I’m really bored with it lately. It seems like it is stuck in quicksand and not going anywhere. I’d rather they just conducted her training offscreen like Bran in season 5. Could have used that valuable time elsewhere this season. Just my opinion.

    Either way, totally hyped for Episode 3 and can’t wait for the fallout from the soon-to-be flayed Rickon Stark. 🙁

  20. Do you guys think we’re gonna see more of Sansa and Euron or they will just drop it for this episode?

  21. Ravyn,

    Not at all alone. Maisie is a power in her scenes so far and in the last episode I saw one of her finest acting moments in the series. So the fact that her scenes are of the short side is balanced by her great talent…

  22. Ron Mexico,

    I feel the same. Loved Ayra throughout but I’m super bored with this endless, repetitive training at the house of B&W.

  23. Ravyn,

    She’s fantastic. She’s of the few who can carry a scene without saying a word (she and Needle last year, hoo boy).

  24. Viserion,

    Sansa I think yes. But not much until she gets at CB, if she gets there….

    Either 1 more Euron scene until the KM or none until then. I go with the last to be honest.

  25. Flayed Potatoes,

    If Sansa does arrive at the Wall next episode, they might not want to release any pics beforehand?
    That Qyburn pic is giving me the creeps.

  26. Anthony Salcono,

    The promo picture of Sam and Gilly is confirmed as being from 603.

    Still not much relating to events at the Wall in this episode, for obvious reasons.

    The Blood of Winterfull:
    Also do you think we will see Sansa and Co. in this new episode?

    It will depend on how much time is allotted to the Wall. Jon’s return needs some space before the reunion happens. It’s possible that their arrival will be a tag to lead into the next episode, or they may just wait and do the whole thing in 604.

  27. No Sansa and Jon pics. Because Sansa and Jon meeting will be too big a spoiler!! Praying to the old gods like crazy.

  28. One thing that bothered me last week. Ramsey talking about the Umbers, Karstarks and Manderlys joining them. Why would the Manderlys join them? The Manderly heir was killed at the Red Wedding. we saw it. They should hate the Boltons.

  29. Doesn’t Qyburn take over some of Vary’s little birds, in ASOIAF?
    I assume the Kings Landing plot this year will be Cersei/Tommen/Jaime vs. High Sparrow and Cersei/Qyburn spying their enemies with little birds and plotting to take down Pycelle and Kevin.
  30. also I believe I saw Lord Karstark in the new episode preview, he’s only in three episodes.
    so I guess one more after this, or maybe he’s more then expected.

  31. Greywind,

    The Mandarly’s join the Boltons even after he gets his son back.

    in filming stuff, we know that a northern lord will have a ”stirring speech” and switch sides during the battle. My guess is Mandarly. He will be in 1 episode.

    If that isn’t him then I guess they simply changed them. But no one else fits the description.

  32. Ravyn:
    I must be the only one who likes the Arya scenes. Even if not a lot of new information is happening, I think Maisie just sells every emotion and finds new layers. Every time I see her act, I feel she’s experiencing that moment for the first time and that’s exciting, even the scene itself seems repetitive.

    I’m with ya. I know Maisie mentioned she felt like she’s in the season less yet her story moves further, but so far I’m disappointed with how little she has been. What’s she at, about three minutes of screen time so far? I realize there have been more pressing things for them to get through so it’s understandable, yet I still want more. Maisie does such an excellent job of what has been my favorite storyline in the books so I’ve been hoping (George better pick it up for Arya in TWoW too). Even with the limited number of chapters in the last two books there are some parts D&D are leaving out that are important in my opinion.

    Why are they eliminating her connection with Nymeria and cats / signs of warging abilities (Jon as well)? It reduces the character quite a bit.
  33. Ravyn:
    I must be the only one who likes the Arya scenes. Even if not a lot of new information is happening, I think Maisie just sells every emotion and finds new layers. Every time I see her act, I feel she’s experiencing that moment for the first time and that’s exciting, even the scene itself seems repetitive.

    Rest assured you are not the only one who enjoys them. Reckon Maisie could make folding a towel look beguiling!

  34. Dee,

    So exited for Dany!
    She is among my favourite characters and I love the Dothraki!

    Hope we see Drogon soon..

  35. Sullied by Knight:

    Jaime looks either pissed off or thinks Cersei is out of her mind.Tension between those two will be rising.

    He has this look on his face since he came back from Dorne.

  36. Nedda,

    Jaime will also go to the riverlands this season. And we know Brienne will be at Riverrun at some point. So maybe some kind of reunion, though Brienne is protecting Sansa and Cersei wants her dead. Should be interesting. Maybe allegiances will shift 😀

  37. Mihnea: His ”little birds”

    Ah, so he’s going to try transmogrifying them into birds? That should be creepy.

  38. Welp.

    Pycelle is so dead. When I heard of a scene involving children, Pycelle and Qyburn taking place under Shane’s Castle (Qyburn’s lab, among other things), I predicted Cersei would have Qyburn deal with Pycelle, and Qyburn will happily oblige, using Varys’ inherited little birds to do so. In one of the trailers we see these children stabbing something in Qyburn’s lab, which only reinforced my theory. I don’t know if episode 3 will simply introduce the little birds or whether it will happen right now, but I’m sticking to my theory. I assumed it would happen late in the season, but still.
  39. Clob,

    Eh.. I don’t think the warging is that important at all.

    But I do agree that we need more Arya. Maise is just great.

  40. Colty,

    Interesting. I’ve long thought that

    Show Littlefinger

    would take over the plot of

    ADWD Varys

    . Could Qyburn be inheriting this role instead?

  41. I really hope

    Kevan and Pycelle get more to do than Roose, Doran and Balon, let’s say it that way. Their deaths could be quite impactful if they take some more episodes to build it up. Unlike the deaths of Roose, Doran and Balon, their deaths aren’t really necessary to move the plot along.

    Mrs. Podrick Payne,

    Don’t think we’ll see Sansa&Brienne this ep. They’ll likely reach the Wall in episode 4.

    Anthony Salcono,

    We don’t know that for sure, though it’s hard to imagine they’ll skip another episode. It will be a short scene, nonetheless.

    Greywind,

    It is very likely that (don’t read if you don’t want to be spoiled!)

    Wyman Manderly will ultimately reveal his true allegiance to house Stark (as in the books). The casting call mentions a fat Northern Lord unexpectedly shifting alliances, so it is very likely.)
  42. Clob,

    Those aspects of their characters have not been relevant to the stories so far. Excess information is not good for storytelling. One, it distracts the audience from the important character evolution. Two, audiences expect that major things like this will be introduced only if they are going to be important later that season. (This is about what Chekhov was writing all of those years ago.) So, if you introduce it last year and then…. nothing comes of it, the audience assumes that it is just bad storytelling.

    Tycho Nestoris: Give Olly a break. He’s not Joff. I did like when he stormed at Tormund in Home and Tormund had this look like…well only Tormund could recreate it.

    Indeed. Olly saw his family butchered by Wildlings. He’s lost exactly zero people to White Walkers: he’s never even seen a White Walker and he almost certainly has been told that they are just legends. So, why in the world would we expect him to accept that the White Walkers are a bigger threat than the Wildlings, never mind that the Walkers are such a huge threat that they need to let murdering savages into Westeros?

  43. Little birds! It must be time for some new small council members.

    A bit disappointing that there is no Jon photo.

  44. Bergey: Could Qyburn be inheriting this role instead?

    Or this is what Qyburn does in Winter. Personally, I think that those are less little birds and more little lab rats.

  45. JonFookinSnow,

    Switching allegiances eh? Sounds like Oathbreakers…
    Very excited to see Brienne (and Jaime) head back to the Riverlands. There are some characters there I need catching up on.

  46. Mihnea,

    Yes yes yes!!!!!!!

    I hate when we don’t get Dany or Jon in an episode. Been like that since the beginning
    I don’t hate (I still love every single episode ever) but I “miss them” when theyre not in an episode.

  47. RosanaZugey,

    As much as i hate this but Sansa won’t be in all of 10 episodes (i hope that i’m wrong though) and tbh i prefer she sits an early one out instead of say one of the last three.

  48. Dee,

    Maise said she filmed a bit less this year.

    Don’t worry, she should have quite strong scenes later on.

  49. WalterHarrow: Arya storyline was one of my favourites in season 5. It was slower than most people would have liked but I thought the writing, acting etc was great. Maisie in particular did a fantastic job.

    Ive also liked her two brief appearances this season but hope they start doing more with Arya in the next few episodes

    Her chapters are some of my favorites in the books, even when the move at a snails pace, and I have to say I feel the same way about show Arya. I really appreciate the time her story lines take. This show isn’t known for it but some shows will give a bit of character development and an episode later, all is resolved. Any conflict, wrapped up in a pretty bow.
    Aryas arc has been consistent and even when moving at a slower pace, the payoff has always been worth it. I am loving the House of Black & White and the exploration of a really dark Arya, trying to shed her past but we know it’s not going to end there. There is always something around the corner for Arya and that’s what I love about it. She’s angry and bitter and vengeful but I can’t help but think that kid who wanted Gendry to be her family and cried when she hid needle is still in there.

  50. Dee,

    Robb also didn’t let wildlings through the Wall, which Jon did. The Umbers live in Last Hearth, which is closer to the Gift and the raping and pillaging of wildlings than any other house. They may despise the Boltons, perhaps, but they would unite with any Northerner to fight off the wildlings, I’m sure.

    Greywind:
    One thing that bothered me last week. Ramsey talking about the Umbers, Karstarks and Manderlys joining them. Why would the Manderlys join them? The Manderly heir was killed at the Red Wedding. we saw it. They should hate the Boltons.

    The books played the Manderlys’ allegiance as a twist. Surely, the show will too, so Ramsay certainly shouldn’t have any doubts about them.
  51. Greywind,

    I agree. Same with the Umbers. We better get some good explanations because the Boltons killed their family members while under guest right. I know people here are going to use the Wildlings as a reason for them to join the Boltons, but I’m unconvinced for now. If that was the case then some traitorous Umber should have been cast instead of Smalljon. The Manderlys will probably switch though….I haven’t seen their banners in the trailer.

  52. Ravyn,

    Oh shes always been my fav, book or show (in fact she was my fav early in the show; rewatching season one reminded me of the acting skills of this young girl. Amazing). I am glad the show cut her travels down a bit, tho. Can’t wait to see how she becomes no one, if she really does.

  53. Flayed Potatoes: If that was the case then some traitorous Umber should have been cast instead of Smalljon.

    It’s not like the show has established anything about Smalljon as of yet.

  54. Test test test 123
    My previous comment got swollen up … ?

    Sansa is not a Stark by law anymore she is Lady Bolton, i wonder if little Lyanna Mormont will give her an earfull about it so Davos will have to step in with his “dead are coming” speech.

  55. Luka Nieto:
    Dee,

    Robb also didn’t let wildlings through the Wall, which Jon did. The Umbers live in Last Hearth, which is closer to the Gift and the raping and pillaging of wildlings than any other house. They may despise the Boltons, perhaps, but they would unite with any Northerner to fight off the wildlings, I’m sure.

    Yeah, I totally see that

    But we don’t really know these details in the show… are we supposed to assume that they’ve likely sided with the Boltons because of Jon’s behaviour? Or do you think we will find this out when and if we see the Umbers?

  56. I swear if Sansa isn’t in this episode and doesn’t reunite with Jon, I’ll be upset. Maybe they’re saving it for the episode to air? Instead of showing us in photos.

  57. Thought’s on all the pictures:

    Arya
    We’re getting her training that we saw in the trailer. I’m still wondering when she’s going to go into town and see the theatre troupe.

    Qyburn
    Although I hope that Varys gets to off Pycelle and Kevan, along with a paralleled speech to LittleFinger back in season 3 (Ros), I think that Qyburn may be utilizing some of Cersei’s spies (it’s stated back in season 1 that those most noted for having informers were Cersei, Varys, and LittleFinger.) The scene in the trailer confirms that the kids will be offing someone with knives.

    Davos
    He’s likely just seen a resurrected Jon.

    Tyrion
    Can’t be sure, but he looks forlorn. He could be talking about a past event (his father, siblings, Shae, or first wife.)

    3 Eyed Raven
    Field trip to the Tower of Joy.

    Dany
    Field trip to Vaes Dothrak and possibly meeting the Dosh Kaleen (trailer scene?)

    Cersei and Jaime
    Cersei looks smug. Jaime looks concerned. So… Cersei probably does some questionable stuff that Jaime lifts an eyebrow at. “I didn’t mean the speech THAT literally. o.O”

    Not pictured is Ramsay, which is unsettling. I think I saw a casting list for this episode that had the actors for Osha and Rickon. I’m terrified for Shaggydog. 🙁

  58. I can’t even imagine how emotional Sansa will be if she reunites with Jon. She’s going to lose her shit with every horrible, pent up memory and emotion coming up. If she cried over Theon leaving, well seeing family again will put her over the top.

  59. That Davos pic is totally him seeing Jon alive for the first time..

    Qyburn surrounded by small children is never gonna end well for somebody..

    loove that picture of Tyrion..

    Bran and Bloodraven pics look awesome.. cant wait for that scene!

  60. I can taste the complaints already XD
    its not 7 vs 3, its not how it was in the books XD
    Where the Fuck is Dawn !!!
    this is a disaster XD
    Can’t bloody wait, Tower of Joy is going to be bloody epic, hope this fight surpasses the rest they did ^^

  61. Dee: Or do you think we will find this out when and if we see the Umbers?

    That is exactly what we should expect to happen 🙂

  62. Summary on my TV (little different) – “Bran glimpses the past; Daenerys learns what’s in store for her; Tommen faces the High Sparrow; Arya trains to be No One; Varys comes up with a solution to a vexing problem; Ramsay gets a gift.”

  63. Mihnea:
    Clob,

    Eh.. I don’t think the warging is that important at all.

    I’ve always felt like it would become an important piece towards the end of the book series as it’s been used for some key points so far. I don’t believe it but perhaps GRRM is at the extent of how much he’ll use warging in the books. Even if that is so, this is a sci-fy/fantasy series and it’s another element that separates it from a standard period piece.

    Theories and/or expectations for what Arya will become or do certainly would benefit from having the ability in her arsenal.
  64. Most people have been excited about ToJ, Jon’s resurrection, Manderly, the bastard bowl, etc and while I am excited about all of that too, I think I’m most looking forward to Arya’s 3-episode arc with the theater troupe. Since D&D said that Arya will smile again this season I am assuming that it will happen sometime during these stretch of episodes. I really enjoy meta scenes, or characters reenacting events within the story, and the fact that this will coincide with Arya trying to become no one seems like it will truly be an emotional roller coaster for Arya and the viewer. She’s going to see a version of herself, and a version of Sansa, and a version of Joffrey, and a version of Cersei, and a version of her father. I can see her being amused, then angry, then depressed, then inspired, and I’m anxious to see how Maise will pull off those emotions.

  65. Dee:
    Ser Not Appearing in this Series,

    Love Arya scenes.

    Are we not getting much Arya this season??

    Where the hell is her story going then?

    We know from the season 6 teasers “a girl will be given a second chance, she will not get a third” or words like that – may not be this episode but some sort of assignment?

  66. Kamali:
    Most people have been excited about ToJ, Jon’s resurrection, Manderly, the bastard bowl, etc and while I am excited about all of that too, I think I’m most looking forward to Arya’s 3-episode arc with the theater troupe. Since D&D said that Arya will smile again this season I am assuming that it will happen sometime during these stretch of episodes. I really enjoy meta scenes, or characters reenacting events within the story, and the fact that this will coincide with Arya trying to become no one seems like it will truly be an emotional roller coaster for Arya and the viewer. She’s going to see a version of herself, and a version of Sansa, and a version of Joffrey, and a version of Cersei, and a version of her father. I can see her being amused, then angry, then depressed, then inspired, and I’m anxious to see how Maise will pull off those emotions.

    For real. I’m surprised no one has been talking about the theatre troupe. It’s one of my most anticipated parts!

  67. Flayed Potatoes:
    So, everyone, what are your predictions for the opening scene?

    TOJ, and regular viewers don’t know what’s going on until Bran and Blood Raven appear walking up the hill towards the Tower…

  68. Matthew The Dragon knight: I can taste the complaints already XD
    its not 7 vs 3, its not how it was in the books XD
    Where the Fuck is Dawn !!!
    this is a disaster XD
    Can’t bloody wait, Tower of Joy is going to be bloody epic, hope this fight surpasses the rest they did ^^

    Yep. The Tower of Joy sequence is going to perfectly illustrate the gigantic schism between salty book purists and people who appreciate a good story.

    From the previews, it looks like it’ll be 6 on 2 (as opposed to 7 on 3 in the books), and that legendary sword “Dawn” is probably not going to be present. This will piss off book purists to no end, and they’ll whine about how “Tower of Joy” was ruined by “those hacks D&D who only know how to write fanfics.” The screeching wafting from Westeros.org should be amusing.

    However, the rest of us, especially non-book readers, will be completely awestruck by how sheer awesome that scene ends up being, and it’ll be considered one of the best GoT scenes ever filmed.

  69. Disturbing to see Qyburn with little children and Dany needs to get where she is supposed to be!

  70. Dee,

    don’t worry yourself, nothing you need to concern yourself over.
    Just prepare for one hell of a fight scene.
    Picture
    The Hound vs Beric Dondarrion
    The Mountain vs the red viper
    something just as good, or in my opinion will be much better fight scene at the Tower of joy XD

  71. Arya’s stick kinda reminds me of a longer Lucille 😛 She’s so badass. Davos’s face is hilarious!

  72. Josh L.,

    I swear they act like that sword has the secrets of the universe in it.

    It would simply not look good on TV. Just like Euron’s eye-patch.

  73. Clob,

    I don’t think we can assume that stuff is being eliminated. A lot of people thought Ramsay, Jojen, and Meera were out after not being cast until season 3. People thought the Kingsmoot and Euron were out and we’re getting them now. The show is just at a different pace. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I think we’ll see warging from the other Stark characters.

  74. Josh L.,

    I’m expecting The tower of joy scene to be one of the best fight scenes in game of Thrones XD
    just from the few images, and scenes we’ve gotten in the trailers, it look bloody amazing.

  75. Dee,

    Never thought I would say this but I would take dirty old Pycelle over this freak.

    You mean Qyburn, right? Qyburn at least helped Jaime (who I genuinely like). That said, if Wimsey’s correct and Qyburn starts experimenting on the kids

    like he does with a few women in DwD

    then yeah, he and Pycelle can share a cell with Rorge, Biter and Ramsay.

  76. Clob: I’m with ya.I know Maisie mentioned she felt like she’s in the season less yet her story moves further, but so far I’m disappointed with how little she has been.What’s she at, about three minutes of screen time so far?I realize there have been more pressing things for them to get through so it’s understandable, yet I still want more.Maisie does such an excellent job of what has been my favorite storyline in the books so I’ve been hoping (George better pick it up for Arya in TWoW too).Even with the limited number of chapters in the last two books there are some parts D&D are leaving out that are important in my opinion.

    Clob: Why are they eliminating her connection with Nymeria and cats / signs of warging abilities (Jon as well)? It reduces the character quite a bit.

    I agree. So disappointed we haven’t yet seen the OTHER Stark children warging. But, maybe that’s something D and D wanted to save for a WTF moment later. Maybe show watchers will get to see Jon and Arya “discover” their amazing ability. I’m not losing hope just yet.

  77. Josh L.,

    I thought we had seen 3 knights in some of the leaked photos. Plus, I think the 6 on Ned’s team will turn into 7 when Howland Reed sneaks into the picture.

  78. Mihnea:
    Josh L.,

    I swear they act like that sword has the secrets of the universe in it.

    It would simply not look good on TV. Just like Euron’s eye-patch.

    I agree, they possibly may have camera-tested a white sword and it perhaps didn’t look good so they decided on double wielding instead.

    And yea, they nixed Euron’s eyepatch because it reads too much as “pirate cliche”; they gave him a knife cut in the cheek courtesy of Balon instead.

  79. Dee: Yeah, I totally see that

    But we don’t really know these details in the show… are we supposed to assume that they’ve likely sided with the Boltons because of Jon’s behaviour? Or do you think we will find this out when and if we see the Umbers?

    Guys, I don’t get this.
    The Umbers, Manderleys et al are on the Boltons side on a hypothetic clash with Kings Landing/the Lannisters whatever. I don’t think so far anyone has presented them to the dilemma “the Boltons or the Starks?”. For all they know, the only Stark heir is now Lady Bolton. Robb and the kids are dead, Arya missing (a little girl out there all by herself – little do they know) and Jon the bastard son is Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, that is he practically doesn’t exist.
    I am sure their stance may change if at least two Stark kids (Sansa and ok, l
    the bastard, but still) come forth again.

  80. Are those images real screencaps? I remember an image of Tommen with Pycelle for Ep 2 and that scene didn’t happen. The ones of Alliser and Edd had a different angle and composition too.

  81. Mihnea:

    I swear they act like that sword has the secrets of the universe in it.

    It would simply not look good on TV. Just like Euron’s eye-patch.

    Ok so ur saying something like this would look bad on TV?

    http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/images/Product/large/MC-SW-3041W.png

    Heresy!!!

    Dawn is the ancestral greatsword of House Dayne, whose wielder is always given the title Sword of the Morning. Dawn is largely the reason for House Dayne’s fame. Its origins are lost to legend, but it seems likely that the Daynes have carried it for thousands of years. It is said to be made from metal forged from the heart of a fallen star. The blade is as pale as milkglass, looking like no Valyrian blade, yet sharing all of the properties, being incredibly strong and sharp

    p.s.
    3 on 7 not 2 on 6

    #nooneunderstands

  82. Sou,

    For all they know, the only Stark heir is now Lady Bolton

    There’s thought that the Umbers know of another heir.

  83. Someone mentioned above that Sansa is legally speaking, a Bolton. It gives me an excuse to talk about something that’s minor but been bothering me.

    Sansa is actually still by law Lannister. Tyrion may be slated for execution, but he’s still alive. They’re technically still married. In the books, that’s the big flaw in Littlefinger’s plan to marry her to Harry the Heir. He was counting on Tyrion being executed.

    How is Sansa’s marriage to Ramsay even legal? I suppose an argument could be made that because she’s a northerner, a marriage blessed by the Seven to a southerner could be annulled. I would’ve bought that. But it wasn’t mentioned on the show at all. Sansa’s marital status is a big loose end for me and I hope it is at some point addressed.

    Now I’m wondering if anyone in King’s Landing is even wondering where Tyrion or Varys are anymore. It hasn’t been mentioned.

    Also, where is Littlefinger and what is he going to do now that he doesn’t have control over Sansa anymore? Now that we have the Jon question resolved, it gives us time to wonder about the other storylines and I’m wondering when we’ll see LF again. Hopefully soon. Was his plan always to let Ramsay abuse her so he’d have an excuse to get rid of the Boltons and maybe marry her and take Winterfell and Casterly Rock for himself through her? Because he certainly seems to be trying to get rid of the major Lannisters too. I’m sure Sansa actually running away wasn’t part of the plan though. So, what’s he going to do?

    Anyway, to get back on topic, it does seem like it would make sense to have Jon open the episode. Then again, when they have done flashbacks, they’ve been episode openers. So maybe they’ll open every episode that has a Bran vision with him?

    If the picture is indicating that Qyburn will take on Varys’ role and kill Pycelle and Kevan as the white raven from the Citadel proclaiming winter to have come has arrived, that would be a good episode closer.
  84. Agro,

    they come from scenes (and the actors may be shooting the scene as photo is taken) but most likely from an angle different then the camera or a shot left on editing floor in final cut of episode

  85. Sullied by Knight: I thought we had seen 3 knights in some of the leaked photos. Plus, I think the 6 on Ned’s team will turn into 7 when Howland Reed sneaks into the picture.

    In every picture and screen cap I’ve seen of the ToJ, I only see two Kingsguards. It’s entirely possible there are three of them, but so far I’ve only seen two. I’d be glad to be proved wrong.

    But really …

    7 vs 3, or 6 vs 2, it doesn’t matter. What matters is Ned Stark leads a bigger group against Kingsguards at the Tower of Joy, and that everybody except Ned and Howland Reed dies.
  86. Connor,
    This is too soon. It’s going to happen in Episode 4, no need to rush things up.

    Kamali:
    I think I’m most looking forward to Arya’s 3-episode arc with the theater troupe.

    Same, Arya’s story is going to be infinitely more interesting once they’ll be introduced.

  87. weirwoodtreehugger:

    How is Sansa’s marriage to Ramsay even legal?I suppose an argument could be made that because she’s a northerner, a marriage blessed by the Seven to a southerner could be annulled.I would’ve bought that.But it wasn’t mentioned on the show at all.Sansa’s marital status is a big loose end for me and I hope it is at some point addressed.

    This has been mentioned. In TV-Westeros, a marriage has to be consummated to be valid. So Tyrion his respect for Sansa made the marriage with Ramsay possible.

  88. Being a knowledge bot is exciting but also no fun in just being a home wrecker. Let’s play a game of riddles instead.

    I wonder what would happen if by the end of the sixth season a certain group was forced to flee? How could they make it in the open?

    I wonder if to help them on this journey The Three-Eyed Raven decided in his final act to unearth a talisman?

    Maybe a certain…..Dark Sister?

    I wonder if this were to happen, whom The Three-Eyed Raven would deem the best fit from this group to pass this ancient ancestral Targaryen sword to?

    And this week of all weeks is the perfect time for this riddle!

  89. weirwoodtreehugger,

    The books will most likely go more into detail but my belief is that Sansa/Tyrion marrige can be annulled (if it needs to be, I actually ship them and want Sansa and Tyrion together lol) either off screen ( a passing statement that “the high septon agrees to…yada yada” )or a small quick scene actually annulling the marriage because it was never consumated. Bolton “marriage” isnt gonna matter because he is gonna be worm food at some point anyway so if they need Sansa with her one true love at the end they can make it happen

  90. weirwoodtreehugger: How is Sansa’s marriage to Ramsay even legal?

    The show explained it. In the show’s universe, her marriage to Tyrion is null because it wasn’t consumated.

  91. weirwoodtreehugger:
    How is Sansa’s marriage to Ramsay even legal?I suppose an argument could be made that because she’s a northerner, a marriage blessed by the Seven to a southerner could be annulled.I would’ve bought that.But it wasn’t mentioned on the show at all.Sansa’s marital status is a big loose end for me and I hope it is at some point addressed.

    It was actually addressed on the show last season, in a conversation between Littlefinger and Roose Bolton. Basically, Sansa and Tyrion never consummated their marriage, so as far as the law is concerned that marriage is annulled and never happened.

  92. Cersei’s Brain:
    Summary on my TV (little different) – “Varys comes up with a solution to a vexing problem; ”

    Varys (Conleth Hill) finds an answer

    Any guesses as to the “vexing problem” that Varys faces? And what is his solution/answer?

    Is the problem the destruction of Dany’s fleet that would enable a return to Westeros? Does his solution involve the Greyjoys?
  93. I’m afraid that Pycelle and Kevan are going to die this episode before getting any character development this season, I really hope not. That would mean that D&D are indeed rushing the story just for the sake of shock value
  94. Pounce,

    Why would it mean that, when those characters would be killed at roughly the same point that they were in the books and would have roughly the same amount of character development that they had in the books?

  95. JSPR_G: This has been mentioned. In TV-Westeros, a marriage has to be consummated to be valid. So Tyrion his respect for Sansa made the marriage with Ramsay possible.

    But thats the point Ramsey consumated the marriage so she is now Lady Bolton.

    This makes me think … the books and the TV show call Cersei “Cersei Lannister” all the time, not ONCE is she refered to as Cersei Baratheon what should be her legal name.

  96. Wim Z
    Usually we do agree, but on Olly I don’t. Indeed he has had horrid things happen to him, but he was also taken in and under Jon’s wing. He gave him the stink eye through all of season 5. He was the one to lure him out of the LC Office to the “traitor” scene. And he as last person to plunge the dagger deserves to die. (we had this same talk about Snape you might recall). You can’t kill JS/LC that way and chalk it up to I have been hurt in my life. Haven’t we all. Olly has to go and go in a way that will be satisfying, even if it is only satisfying to me.

    On a different note and not directed at anyone:

    Arya will not be warging into a cat. That time has now passed. I think that she will be getting those eyeballs back shortly as she is headed back to the HoBaW. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. I believe that the ability to warg is being left with Bran alone, give that to him.

  97. Dee,

    I don’t (in my comment i mentioned that hopefully i’m wrong about it) but Dany sat one episode out so i’m just guessing Sansa will too. Again i prefer she sits an early one out instead of a late one.

  98. The book part with Varys and his

    little birds stabbing Kevan

    was ridiculous, I hope they change it in the show. Maybe Qyburn is doing some experiments on the children? Or Gregorstein needs a power source?. I’d like something like that better

  99. Ravyn:

    Picture Jon Snow man bun.
    http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/04/kit-harington-hair-alert

    The problem – if you’ll please allow us to call it that – is that his widely admired locks are so numerous and lengthy, that even relatively drastic sheering hasn’t been obvious to the public. Once a certain hair-magnitude has been achived, a man’s mane often can register to the observer as simply “long” – even if its actually span changes significantly.

    ?????

    Thanks for the link!

  100. weirwoodtreehugger: Sansa is actually still by law Lannister. Tyrion may be slated for execution, but he’s still alive. They’re technically still married. In the books,

    Don’t know about how they handled it in the books, but they touched on it in the show.

    In season 5, episode 3, when Littlefinger had delivered Sansa to the Boltons, and then had that little talk with Ramsay, (where Ramsay promised never to hurt her, hmmmph) then Roose comes up and the conversation goes as follows:
    LF: He seems pleased.
    Roose: Shouldn’t he be?
    LF: I assure you, she’s still a virgin. Tyrion never consummated the marriage. By the law of the land, she is no man’s wife. Inspect her if you must.
    Roose: I leave that to the brothel keeper. It’s her name I need, not her virtue.
    LF: Then I have delivered everything I promised.
    Roose: And you’re prepared for the consequences: When the Lannisters hear I’ve wed Sansa Stark to Ramsay?

    So, I expect LF’s remark that because the marriage wasn’t consummated she’s free to marry was acceptable to Roose, who wouldn’t want Ramsay’s claim on her or her lands questioned, therefore to be taken by the audience as an acceptable explanation.

    I didn’t like it because I was still shocked that LF had the gall to take her there in the first place, but apparently it’s legal.

  101. First of all-Qyburn with children? Run! That is terrifying. I don’t think the other maester in KL is long for this world.

    Dany is officially dirtier than she has ever been-even after she spent the night in that fire.

    I hope Cersei is freaking Jaime out. it’s long overdue. He needs to quit that.

    Davos looks shocked. It was your idea guy! And Tyrion looks thoughtful like, “Did I get really drunk last night and have a tea party with some f***ing dragons? Time to dry out.”

    All I can really think of is ToJ and Jon, I can’t lie. But I also love Arya and want her to get her sight back so she can head back home to Nymeria, Gendry and Jon.

    About Sansa Jon meet up. I’m sure it will happen, but they were never close. In the books, she doesn’t think of him as a brother and in the show-I went back to check-Sansa and Jon have actually never shared the screen once. They’re never even in the same room. Sansa is the only sibling Jon doesn’t have some interaction with. Even Rickon is around in the background in that first archery scene.
    Of course, after all they’ve both been through seeing family of any kind would probably be a good thing.
    I’ve always looked forward to and Arya and Jon reunion. Or Bran and Jon. But I’m at that point-if more than two Starks are gathered together this season…and alive…for any reason? I’ll just cry with happiness.

  102. Ravyn:
    I must be the only one who likes the Arya scenes. Even if not a lot of new information is happening, I think Maisie just sells every emotion and finds new layers. Every time I see her act, I feel she’s experiencing that moment for the first time and that’s exciting, even the scene itself seems repetitive.

    Love Arya and all her scenes but I would like to see forward motion in her story. I do think we will get that this season. 🙂

  103. RG: But I’m at that point-if more than two Starks are gathered together this season…and alive…for any reason? I’ll just cry with happiness.

    And I’ll be right there crying and applauding with you. Can’t wait for that scene. Jon was always kind and open to the entire family. It was Cat’s piss poor attitude toward him that made him want to head for Castle Black. I still remember the venom in her voice when he went to say goodbye to Bran and she says: ” I. Want. You to LEAVE.” That would scare anyone away. But Sansa will be glad to see him, I think. Especially if it means safety from Ramsay.

  104. Why does everybody think the Ramseys gift is Rickon? I think the gift will be Theon who was going back to the iron isles anyway.

  105. I hope the answer Varys finds in this episode is to the Q: Who is the Harpy.
    Daenerys on foot? Oh, Ok. Perhaps her mount will be Drogon from now on. Tyrion has new clothes? He looks pensive. Davos looks amazed, understandably. Max von Sydow, looking awesome, AGAIN! I wish they had included a pic of Jesus…. err… Jon Snow!

  106. Danedesta,

    So that kids will kill Qyburn?

    kill (for) Qyburn or some have suggested he experiments on them (which was my initial fear
  107. Tycho Nestoris: OT: I wonder what LF got (or hoped to get) from the marriage? Sansa seemed like a powerful piece for LF to keep close.

    Littlefinger is planning on building himself an empire, and was hoping that Roose would be taken out of the equation by Stannis. The end of that conversation with Roose went as such:

    LF: A message for me, you say? Strange that the seal is broken.
    Roose: I’m sure you understand my position, Lord Baelish. If you receive word in the night from the Queen Mother, it does make me question our new alliance. The Lannisters made you one of the great lords of Westeros, Yet here you are in the North, undermining them. Why gamble with your position?

    LF: Every ambitious move is a gamble. You gambled when you drove a dagger into Robb Stark’s heart. It appears that your gamble paid off. You are Warden of the North.
    Roose: I had Tywin Lannister’s backing. Who supports me, now? You?

    LF: The Eyrie is mine. The last time the lords of the Eyrie formed an alliance with the lords of the North, they brought down the greatest dynasty this world has ever known. …

    So, to me at least, it appears his end game is to knock out or ally himself with all the heads of the houses of the North, and knock out the Lannisters. He’s already said in earlier conversations that he wants EVERY thing. He wants to rule the world, imho.

    One small problem. Jamie Lannister just showed a change in his attitude by telling Cersei that THEY were going to take everything, everything there is to take. This could lead to some interesting contests of will between LF and Jamie.

  108. Theon isn’t going back to Ramsay. Just stop. That makes no sense. From filming spoilers we know that he’s going to

    Essos with Yara after the Kimgsmoot

    I mean Euron was just introduced you know…

  109. Tycho Nestoris,

    This seemed like his fatal mistake to me. It seemed he believed Stannis and the Boltons would have a bigger fight and the winning side would be depleted enough for him to swoop in. It seemed he believed Sansa, as “the last Stark and a lady” would be safe as a hostage or a wife, depending on the victor, and through his protege he would have control of the North when the dust settled.
    But the fact that he didn’t know who Ramsay was and left her with no protection before the wedding is suspect. Roose’s bastard had been making a big name for himself. The Bolton’s were never known for being trustworthy. Roose is the one who killed Sansa’s brother after all. LF prided himself on being five steps ahead of everyone. Either this is a big mistake that pokes holes in his super smart well-informed character, or he knew it would happen and his plan is incredibly twisted and we’ll all be shocked.
    Either way…karma is a resurrected Stark, buddy.

  110. Pounce: That would be a colossal disappointment if the gift is revealed to be Theon.

    That thought had me shuddering too, especially since Theon said he was going HOME. We all thought he meant the Iron Islands, but what if he meant Winterfell? The only thing that makes the horror of that thought palatable at all is if

    Theon has fully allowed into his consciousness the horror that befell him at the hand of Ramsay, and has decided to go back and kill the s. o. b.
  111. I wish MVS was my grandfather. And more arya this episode?! Nice. They said that she won’t have that much material this season though so I guess there won’t be much more

  112. Mihnea:
    Josh L.,

    I swear they act like that sword has the secrets of the universe in it.

    It would simply not look good on TV. Just like Euron’s eye-patch.

    I’m looking forward to your “lively debates” with the Dawn purists on Monday 🙂

  113. JonFookinSnow,

    Now that we know that Jon will have a different hair cut (probably a man bun), I’m on board with those who think this is Sansa looking at Jon.

    It’s probably the moment when he tells her that Ramsay received a gift…

  114. JonFookinSnow,

    Yeah in the vid it looks more like the person is sitting down. Also, I had not seen that trailer. It shows a lot right? Especially of Sansa leading what appears to be soldiers.

  115. To all those discussing about Tyrion-Sansa marriage – Now that Sansa is no longer a virgin, and Ramsay is gonna die sooner or later, so there is no way to prove to a High Septon that her marriage to Tyrion was not consummated. Basically, she could choose to be Ramsay’s widow or Tyrion’s wife. Most people would expect her to be Ramsay’s widow, but I hope for political entanglements that will make her choose the latter.

  116. I like what rawrist said. What if, since they didn’t bother stitching up his wounds, Jon wakes up only to bleed out. They come back to check on him and he’s still laying there dead. Haha

  117. RG,

    Only, what if Stannis had won and the Boltons killed her out of spite (like Cersei was planning on doing in the Blackwater)? What if Stannis had taken Winterfell by force and one of his soldiers had accidentally killed Sansa?

  118. Garrett,

    Bran told Rickon and Osha to go to the Umbers when they parted. Umber is giving Ramsay a gift that will help him put an end to the Stark line-including Jon-and any threats to his new role as Lord of Winterfell.
    Theon is a toy to Ramsay, not a tool he can use to get what he wants anymore. Logically and horribly, Rickon is the most obvious choice.
    Though I’d be okay if they used a fake Rickon and this was all a trick to lower Ramsay’s defenses…

  119. Ravyn,

    I completely agree. I initially didn’t like the Arya character arc. But ever since those scenes with Tywin at Harrenhal she is one of my favorites. And Maisie is already a great actress, I think she’s on the path to a great career.

  120. I somehow missed the part about unconsummated marriages being null even though I just rewatched the season. Must have been in the bathroom or fixing a drink during it! Good to know. I believe in the books it’s not automatic and it has to be done officially through septons or something like that.

    I still wonder what LF will be up to this season though.

    Is anyone else having an issue where they keep getting signed out and have to reenter name and email to comment. It autopopulates when I start typing, so it’s not that a big of a deal, but it’s kind of annoying. It’s been happening on both my phone and computer.

  121. Apollo,

    Don’t agree. Eurons eyepatch is his trademark. But it is what it is. They were able to pull off Davos’s missing meathooks without a problem, an eyepatch should’ve been child’s play. But it is what it is. He’s one of this seasons highlights for me

  122. doofy,

    Seems like 3 possibilities posited so far…

    1)

    Varys’ birds kill Qyburn (maybe Pycelle and Kevan too)

    2)

    Qyburn’s birds kill Pycelle and Kevan

    3)

    Qyburn experiments on the children

    4) All of the above

  123. Clob,
    The portion I am looking the most forward to with Arya is when she gets in with the theatre troupe.

    I am super, duper excited to see/hear the play itself, because it’s another meta moment like at Joff’s wedding with the war of 5 kings dwarf play, where we are see the POV that’s in the peripheral and maybe not even on the radar of the central characters. This play is kind of the peasants POV of the goings on of their lords and their king in Westeros, from what I understood from the snippets we’ve gotten since filming and casting. I really hope this compels her to go back to Westeros to finish her list and find whomever is left of her family.
  124. Wasn’t Bender supposed to direct ToJ or is there a chance this episode only covers a portion of it?

  125. Would be cool if those kids were Varys’ actual little birds who get recruited by Qyburn, only to execute Order 66 against him later, when Varys comes back.

  126. weirwoodtreehugger,

    Yeah me. I used to be automatically logged in when I came here, now I have to do it every time I make a post and also I have to refresh the page all the time, even when I have it closed down overnight. I have done all that was suggested, so I am done complaining about it. Something to deal with.

  127. Ramsay calls the “gift” little man. It’s Rickon, not Theon. After 3 seasons with Ramsay and then escaping he’s not going back.

  128. Fedejru,

    In the scene from the trailer of the children stabbing someone it looks to be taking place in a room very similar looking to Qyburn’s dungeon quarters…

  129. JaimenotJamie:
    Wasn’t Bender supposed to direct ToJ or is there a chance this episode only covers a portion of it?

    ToJ is split across multiple episodes.

  130. a knowlege bot,

    I would love to see Dark Sister on the Show, who knows, we might see it. Meera Seems like the right choice. unless someone else has it.
  131. Isaac Hempstead Wright was just flawless in his portrayal of Bran last episode. He sold the scene so well with his character’s wonderment of seeing his father as a boy. And seeing a version of Hodor he never knew existed.

  132. Thronetender,

    I like this. Theon tells us when he first meets Ramsay (when he thinks Ramsay is taking him to Yara) that his real father was killed in King’s Landing. Home may very well be Winterfell (unless there are photos of him at the Iron Islands?) and since he doesn’t want to be forgiven and there is nothing he can do rectify what he has done to the Starks, he may be going on a suicide mission to try and kill Ramsay. Unfortunately, I think Theon is a creature of misfortune and will fail (if this really is the direction he’s going).

  133. JCDavis,

    I hate all Lannisters, especially rich little arrogant dwarfs who have to preface every comment with some sarcastic condescension. I hope Jaime buries a sword in the top of his head.

  134. I feel like Arya has been training for the past 1000 episodes. I thought Danny’s arc was getting stale, but this is much worse. It feels like the writers are stalling with her storyline on purpose.

  135. JaimenotJamie,

    Well, there is more to the ToJ than just the fight scene. Maybe just the fight scene this episode ending with Lyanna crying out to Ned, followed an episode or two later by the events that took place inside Lyanna’s room?

  136. JaimenotJamie,

    well we could just se the fight this Sunday, but who knows, it might be the whole thing.
    I don’t really mind either way.

  137. Jack Bauer 24: Ramsay calls the “gift” little man. It’s Rickon, not Theon. After 3 seasons with Ramsay and then escaping he’s not going back.

    I hope you’re right, Jack. My stomach would lurch if he went back.

    Then again, have you seen the actor who plays Rickon, Art Parkinson, lately? Last we saw him, he was a sweet little gremlin, curly haired and lovable. But, he had a growth spurt like Bran/Isaac did, and he’s probably taller than Iwan now. He was in the movie “San Andreas” last year, and while he still had that cuddle factor and a sparkle-eyed look of mischief, he had to be at least 5’7″ then, and would be taller now. Not exactly a “little man.” Whomever it is that’s being given as a gift, I have feelings of dread for their fate with Ramsay.

  138. Rory,

    i’ve been thinking about arya’s warging a lot lately because i think that including nymeria’s wolfpack would’ve added a lot to arya’s remain-me-or-become-no-one conflict last season (besides being really cool). but i have a feeling that the show is going to skip arya’s warging entirely. given how much trouble they had with ser pounce, maybe stuff like that is just too hard to film 🙁

    haha it’s a shame because i also wish arya would warg just because she’d probably have a deeper relationship with a cat than she does with the waif or jaqen at this point. and arya’s relationships with other characters were always the highlight of her story arcs for me – i thought season 2 arya/tywin, arya/yoren, arya/jaqen, and season 4 arya/hound were really just wonderful to watch.

    tyrion looks worried in that photo. i wonder how the dragons are doing…

  139. Q: “Book readers have theorized that Jon warged into Ghost before his death. During the resurrection scene, Ghost turns his attention to Jon right before he wakes up. Is there anything viewers with that theory should read into Ghost turning toward Jon?”

    A: “I cannot answer this question. (Laughs.) I would say if you keep watching, all will be revealed. Better to leave it to the fans to discover. ”

    Hint that Jon DID in fact warg into Ghost?
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-director-pulls-back-890084
    From this new Interview with Jeremy Podeswa!

  140. Tycho Nestoris: No please no…

    Would you put it beneath Qyburn to do that?

    Chai from Asshai: i’ve been thinking about arya’s warging a lot lately because i think that including nymeria’s wolfpack would’ve added a lot to arya’s remain-me-or-become-no-one conflict last season (besides being really cool).

    But there would not have been any use of the warging last year. Character evolution has to be in line with the story being told, or it will distract from the story being told. If they are going to introduce either Arya or Jon becoming wargs, then it needs to have some payoff in that season. Basically, if neither is introduced before the middle of the season, then I would give up on either ever becoming relevant to the story.

  141. Thronetender: I hope you’re right, Jack. My stomach would lurch if he went back.

    Then again, have you seen the actor who plays Rickon, Art Parkinson, lately? Last we saw him, he was a sweet little gremlin, curly haired and lovable. But, he had a growth spurt like Bran/Isaac did, and he’s probably taller than Iwan now. He was in the movie “San Andreas” last year, and while he still had that cuddle factor and a sparkle-eyed look of mischief, he had to be at least 5’7″ then, and would be taller now. Not exactly a “little man.” Whomever it is that’s being given as a gift,I have feelings of dread for their fate with Ramsay.

    Yeah I’m thinking Rickon was recast since Art is taller than Iwan now it would be odd for him to call him “little man”. I definitely think the “gift” is Rickon though. Unless they use CGI to make Art shorter. I think it’s pretty much zero chance the “gift” is Theon.

  142. Pounce:
    No Kinvara this episode ?

    Still no Melly Liburd? What about Ian McShane? Ser Loras? Bronn? Lancel?

  143. Rhaenys Stark: Hint that Jon DID in fact warg into Ghost?

    Have you ever seen a TV show explain something multiple episodes later that did not need explaining? The only times we get “after the fact” explanations on screen is about what Detective noticed while solving a crime, how the Swindler pulled off a long con, or how the Genius solved the problem with seconds to go. And then it is always in the denouement of that episode.

    You never see shows go back and “re-explain” things after an explanation already was there to be seen. The closest you might get is on something like Doctor Who or Star Trek, where they will “retconn” (a comic-book term for “retroactive continuity”) stuff from decades ago occasionally. Of course, even in those cases, they usually just flat out ignore what happened in the old shows: even though fans keep pining that maybe this weeks episode will explain the discrepancy!

    And lest you say: “but if it does not need explaining, then why are fans demanding an explanation?”, answer this question first: are show-only viewers asking if Warging or Old Gods or anything else was involved?

    Thronetender: Then again, have you seen the actor who plays Rickon, Art Parkinson, lately?

    heh, I was thinking the same thing! Still, what other little men might there be?

  144. I wonder if Jon will even know that he died, or if he’ll just be confused and decide to get dressed and get on with his day as usual.

    Sunday can’t get here soon enough XD

  145. I am the Storm:
    Apollo,

    Don’t agree. Eurons eyepatch is his trademark. But it is what it is. They were able to pull off Davos’s missing meathooks without a problem, an eyepatch should’ve been child’s play. But it is what it is. He’s one of this seasons highlights for me

    No. His insanity, cold malevolence and mystique are his trademarks. How does an eyepatch contribute to the character in any way? This’d make him a cartoon pirate. It was an awful inclusion on GRRMs part (why not give him a. Wooden leg while we’re at it), hence why D&D have seen sense and not included this. Thank the Drowned God.

  146. I haven’t read the comments yet but: yikes, kids & Qyburn together? Someone is ending up on a milk carton. >_>

  147. Wimsey,

    Re Qyburn’s limits

    Absolutely not. His *curiosity* is unlimited. I meant “no” in a heartfelt plead for those children.

  148. sj4iy,

    Yeah he just accepts those strange holes in his chest. And nobody at Castle Black will be schocked seeing a dead person walk around. It would be hilariously unrealisitc if he won’t find out. Also wouldn’t he remember the moment of his death? Maybe he lost some memories.

  149. Mihnea,

    They had all left the room when Jon Snow came back to life so hopefully this is when Davos first sees him and Jon Snow is well

  150. JonFookinSnow:
    sj4iy,

    Yeah he just accepts those strange holes in his chest. And nobody at Castle Black will be schocked seeing a dead person walk around. It would be hilariously unrealisitc if he won’t find out. Also wouldn’t he remember the moment of his death? Maybe he lost some memories.

    …I’m talking about when he wakes up, before he sees anyone else. IE: at the time Davos clearly walks in on him. And I would assume those holes would heal or he would probably bleed out again. I’m not necessarily being serious about it, but I do wonder if he will remember getting stabbed and dying, or if he will be confused about it and not realize what’s going on.

  151. Could it be the case that while the castingsheets said “X amount of episodes” could change in the process of filming/cutting episodes together? Lord Karstark seems to be in more then three if he already appeared in 602 and 603 (with 609 being the third), unless he disappears for the bridging episodes, but he seems to be the guy who Ramsay now needs to bounce his ideas off, considering there’s no one left at Winterfell but Ramsay and this Karstark, and probably the Umber + Gift from the following episode. It might be interesting to not see what goes on in Winterfell until the big battle happens.

  152. Watchers of No Trailers: So, everyone, what are your predictions for the opening scene?
    Jon scrambling around for clothes.

    Lol, he doesn’t have to hurry on my account, heh heh. Take your time, Jon dear, take your time.

  153. Tycho Nestoris: Absolutely not. His *curiosity* is unlimited. I meant “no” in a heartfelt plead for those children.

    Ah, got it! OK, yeah, now that I’m thinking that, it’s obvious that you meant that! (Life is like that sometimes.) Unfortunately, those kids all look like the “nobody would miss them” orphanage sort. Still, maybe he’s testing some new candy recipe: candy sales are a great way to raise money for causes, right?

  154. Jack Bauer 24,

    Are you gonna do this every week Jack xD? Nobody knows for sure so why bother. However, my educated guess is that Liburd’s character is a really small role but won’t be in this ep. McShane’s episode is certainly in the latter half of the season, when the storylines of Brienne and Jaime shift to the Riverlands. There is very little need for Bronn in the story at the moment, and with the relentless pace of this season there is very little room for “filler” (I hate that word and GoT rarely does filler but what the heck) and I’m thinking we will only see him again when Jaime re-recruits him in the second half of the season (which means he can still be in 3-4 episodes). As for Loras, I guess we will see the prison scene with Margaery this week or the next.

    Oh, and before you ask: No. No Littlefinger this week 😉

  155. I think Ramsay’s gift is Rickon.
    According to the Bastardbowl leaked info given by that ‘extra’ on Reddit,

    Ramsay makes Rickon run to Jon’s side on the battlefield (and shoots arrows at the running boy). What surprises me is that how Rickon is still in a state to run if he becomes Ramsay’s prisoner in episode 3. Even if there are some GNC undercurrents, what kind of human beings give a 6 year old boy to Ramsay as gift? Bloody Umbers.

    I don’t care about HBO’s Tyrells at all. They lost their usefulness after Purple Wedding.
    Tyrion looks wonderful in this new photo, that I’m reminded of his quote about Sansa from aSoS: “Grief had given her(him) a haunted, vulnerable look -if anything, it had only made her(him) look more beautiful(handsome).”

  156. Pounce: The little man might be Robin Arryn…

    How/why would he fall into Northern hands? And how would northerners even know who he was?

  157. I HEART DEAD LANNISTERS (EVEN TYRION): Kissing cousins maybe?

    Cheek only, dude. They’re not going to weird it out THAT bad … Are they?

    Hangs head: Oh, me of little faith, who knows with this show? Is the uncertainty why I love ye so dear? You’ve shown me antics the likes of which I never saw nowhere before, and if I had a mate that treated me the same, they’d have been out on their ass long ago. But you, Dear Game of Thrones, I take all range of bad manners from you and consider meself lucky to get it. These time, these crazy times. Scuse me now, I need to go find some chocolate and some alcohol.

  158. Deesensfan:
    selena weeses,

    Actual Sophie is like 175 cm and Kit is barely taller than Rose Leslie who’s 163 ( just did the research)

    She is taller than most men in her scenes. Seems kinda small though next to Gwendoline Christie 😀

  159. Oh god! I do not give a damn about which Stark kid was close to which one, two of Starks are about to reunite with each other AND as it happens these two are my FIRST and SECOND favorite characters in the story so it’s pretty obvious that how huge this is for me and i’m not going to lie about this guys, if the reunion is going to be any less epic than i want it to be then i will have my FIRST major complain about the show after SIX seasons, this also says enough about the importance of this reunion for me. Seriously guys the only things more important than this for me in regards to this story is of course the restoration of house Stark and Sansa’s role in it. I will be ok with everything else D&D throw at me in regards to other storylines (which i’m sure will be amazing as always)

  160. Greywind,

    I’m thinking that the umbers will say they are with the Bolton’s and then stab them in the back when the battle kicks off
  161. RosanaZugey,

    I hope they stab the high sparrow before the finale. Pycelle should die for all that he did to Targaryens, Starks, and Baratheons, but Kevan deserves to have some moments of glory before he dies.

  162. Deesensfan,

    oohh.. I didnt realize she was that much taller then him now!

    actually, she may be taller then most of the main guys on the show then ..they all seem to run on the short side (except NCW)..lots of camera tricks involved when Sophie is in a scene with any of them I guess lol

  163. Wimsey,

    Even so, he can’t be older than Bran or Sweetrobin. And he is Robb’s little brother. Robb who was their king. Robb whom Greatjon (among many others) raised to be king. How can they? It’s worse than what LF did to Sansa. At least Sansa could be expected to live until she gave birth to a child.

  164. selena weese,

    Hmm? You can always see her being taller than most men in her scenes. She might seem small compared to men like Rorry McCann who’s like 2 meters tall.

  165. aabe,

    My bet is that the Starks are very unpopular in some quarters. Losing wars catastrophically has a tendency to make leaders very unpopular, after all.

    aabe: Even so, he can’t be older than Bran or Sweetrobin.

    He should be a similar age to Robin, who pretty clearly is an early teen. And he’s younger than Bran who obviously is a bit older than that.

    Whenever the show makes mention of how much time has elapsed since prior seasons, those events were always years ago.

  166. JonFookinSnow,

    And nobody at Castle Black will be schocked seeing a dead person walk around.

    Hope they don’t think he was turned into a wight and try to kill him…..:)

    Pounce,

    Hee, I like that idea. But why would he be with Umbers?

  167. Off topic guys.
    Could anyone tell which dragon was which when Tyrion went to speak to them??

  168. selena weese,

    About heights: Most NW guys are short because they cast Kit first and then cast short guys to make him look tall. In the public events, Kit looked like a little guy standing next to people like Sophie, Brienne, Jason Momoa etc. Sansa is clearly taller than Joffrey, Ramsay, LF etc. Only Hound and Brienne was taller than her in the scenes they shared, I think. And Tyrion is a dwarf so it does not matter if she was a few inches taller or shorter w.r.t him. In the casting calls for S6, they asked for a Northern lord above 180 cm, so that he would look towering over a main character. I bet this guy shares screen with Sansa.

  169. Jack Bauer 24,

    But, he had a growth spurt like Bran/Isaac did, and he’s probably taller than Iwan now. He was in the movie “San Andreas” last year, and while he still had that cuddle factor and a sparkle-eyed look of mischief, he had to be at least 5’7″ then, and would be taller now. Not exactly a “little man

    IIRC he was seen with the woman playing Asha at filming. Soooo wonder how they’ll do that

  170. That thoughtful look on Tyrion’s face, could be him wondering if he can adapt his special horse saddle design to fit a dragon! He is wearing green? Don’t recall him ever wearing green. His bonding event with Rhaegal is starting to effect his choices.

  171. Joffrey’s Cunt,

    I rewatched that scene like some 10-12 times, could not say. I doubt even doing some color filtering of the snapshots will be able to tell us. On this same off-topic: I wonder if there any videos with Dinklage speaking about that scene? It was rather intense acting considering he was most probably talking to those green cotton candy lookalikes. I’m eager to hear what he has to say about the scene.

  172. aabe,

    Good to know I’m not the only one.
    Yeah I’m curious for that aswell. Hopefully there will be something

  173. aabe,

    I got the sense Viserion was freed first. I say this because I *think* he is smaller than Rhaegal. Complete unfounded speculation on my part. OT I really liked that they immediately dragon hugged???

  174. RosanaZugey,

    looks like the scene from the trailer when those kids are like zombie eating someone orwahtever k inda QYBURN THE MAD SCIENTIST rmember season 3 (?) epsiode who the fuck knows, when Rob and Cat and roose all KIA now, but they found all the dead bodies and Qyburn somehow was the only one alve??? do you think he planned that? and faked injuries to get close to power and then eventually get o kngs landing to do whatever the fuck hes doing now here with these children of the Qyburnest , maybe they were killed and he brought them back sorta like the walking KIA mountain maybe not… all i know is CONFIRMED Jon Sn..Star…Targary… AZOR AHAI, is not going to a dark dark charcter little to no emotion, as beric was , however, he was dead for hours opposed tominutes like beric so he will be even deeper into thedepression of death or whatever, THE DARK beric told us about. maybe jon spoke to ned in the afterlife before being brought back, shwoing him his true parentage, “next time we see eah other well talk about your mother,, hmmmeheh?” Season 1 Ned to Jon before Jon rides off to take the black… maybe not.. but Jon will lead everyone in the north (whos not a karstark bolton or whatever other houses ramsay somehow has control over) to a victory, before getting killed for good in order to save the realm… This Jon death will come at the hands of someone we have met before if not literally then figuratively… Jon’s final death will come only toward the end of this story, or the end of this season… bran will die also saving hte realm… dani will die at the hands of the white walkers, tyrion will survive and live out his days in bravoos, arya will bea faceless woman , man? whatever have you, and then kill the waif and sail to westeros only to assinate everyone without a stark last name… so this post is just what EVERYONE who isnt just a show watcher that doesnt really know the background, lore, facts, truths, denials, chacteristics / traits, geography, relationships both sexual and family, OR BOTH you know who im talkin about… tries to do.. its sodumb, no one knows what is going to happen at all in tehe next season 7-8 or if they do a sopranos splt 6 and 7 for season 7, WHATEVER, bittersweet in His own words , is really a BITTER…………..sweet?… ending in his mind.
    LETS GO TEAM Jon X Davoos X WILDLINGS X D Ed X Sansa X GHOSTY!!!! X that one nights watch guy who stood up to thorne’s bitchass trying to justify the actions of him and the mutineers X BRAN = DREAM TEAM

  175. Joffrey’s Cunt,

    I’ll help you out. Actually, the HBO viewer’s guide synopsis will:

    “Once in the dragons’ keep, Tyrion recounts his fascination with the beasts as a boy. He slowly removes the collar on Rhaegal, and is shocked as Viserion turns his head to request the same.”

    So there’s your answer.

  176. I fould it interested that Ramsey took a lot of time to open the locks on those dog gates, probably to add to the suspense. But thats not nec because we all know its going to happen. Then Tyrion is also very slow moving when removing the dragon collars (granted they were probaly very heavy) Probably just coincidence, doesnt mean anything – or does it?

  177. Joffrey’s Cunt,

    ooohh Dutch master just posted that info from HBO site so now we know!

    **still cant tell them apart though.. maybe when they are outside in better light?**

  178. Ravyn,

    See! I knew it wasn’t Jon in the trailer with his hair all flowing lol. No way would the hair department let him put his hair up in a bun between takes.

  179. Wimsey,

    Recipes

    Don’t even go there. I still have nightmares of the candy man from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

  180. Mihnea,

    I Don’t feel sorry for Olly. Not at all. I understood his anger and his hate about the Wildings. But then, Jon took him in. He taught him, trusted him, and really nurtured him like a younger brother. Olly owed Jon loyalty. Instead he joined with Jon’s enemies and they all ganged up on Jon in the middle of the night, and killed him, “for the Watch.” He needs to face some punishment for that. He acted cowardly. He wasn’t even sorry he played a role in killing Jon. He rushed at Tormund and would’ve killed him too, if he could have. Jon gave Olly a chance at a better life. Olly was ungrateful, disloyal, and cowardly. There is nothing about Olly they can count on in the terrible days to come. He’s proven himself as someone you wouldn’t want covering your back.

  181. selena weese,

    They were very recognisably different in Mhysa, but that was in daylight and it’s evidently nighttime for this scene so it’s even darker. Don’t know about season 5, though.

  182. In the books it’s 300 AC at the point the show is right now. Just for fun:

    Bran: born 290 AC so he’s roughly 10 years old in the books (Isaac was 16 during S6 filming)
    Rickon: born 295 AC – 5 years old (Art turned 14 during filming)
    Sweetrobin: 292 AC – 8 years old (Lino was 15 during filming)

    I think they all could and would still be called ‘young’ or ‘boy’ or ‘little man’ by older characters in the show no matter how tall they are. Robb was/looked much older in the show than his book age of 16 at the Red Wedding… He was constantly called “boy.”

  183. I’m probably the only one who thinks this but I think that Qyburn is going to betray the Lannisters. I’ve never understood his motive for being loyal to them.

  184. Cersei’s Brain:
    mariamb,

    I’m guessing that the problem is how to get the dragons out of the pyramid.

    I think they could squeeze through the doorway easy enough if that’s the only way out. It’s definitely big enough if they can pull their wings in. They aren’t bats, but kind of similar in structure. Those things can get through the tiniest of holes.

    I’m going to guess/hope that Drogon couldn’t when we see his size this season… Even though hardly any times has passed since S5 finale they did say the dragons would be bigger this year. I have to assume they were specifically speaking of Drogon.

  185. Deesensfan,

    Well we could be the same person (LOLLL) if it wasn’t for the fact that your top favorite is Jon, mine is Sansa (Jon comes second for me as i mentioned many times before in my comments)

    Anyway there’s nothing that can stop this season from being the best one so far.

  186. Dutch Maester:
    Joffrey’s Cunt,

    I’ll help you out. Actually, the HBO viewer’s guide synopsis will:

    “Once in the dragons’ keep, Tyrion recounts his fascination with the beasts as a boy. He slowly removes the collar on Rhaegal, and is shocked as Viserion turns his head to request the same.”

    So there’s your answer.

    Thats settled then. Thanks!

  187. Daughter of Winter,

    Hahaha that’s true
    But Sansa is up there

    I totally agree with you. Two episodes in and I’m looooovvvving it so much more than ever – didn’t think I could

  188. Wimsey,

    I’m not convinced that the resurrection “doesn’t need explaining”. We are all assuming it happened because x+y=z, and that’s 90% likely to be the case, but TV shows/stories sometimes make us think one thing and then reveal that actually it was another thing. It would be a classic misdirection, to have Jon resurrected just a few minutes after Mel says the words, but it turns out this was just a coincidence.

  189. Dutch Maester:
    selena weese,

    They were very recognisably different in Mhysa, but that was in daylight and it’s evidently nighttime for this scene so it’s even darker. Don’t know about season 5, though.

    When she chains them up in Season 4 you can even still tell the difference. Look exactly the same to me now though.

  190. Roz's Ghost: He rushed at Tormund and would’ve killed him too, if he could have.

    But why not? In Olly’s mind, the Wildlings are the enemy: just because Jon is too far gone to recognize this simple truth, it does not mean that Olly is.

    Slightly Biased Wizards Fan: I’ve never understood his motive for being loyal to them.

    ??? They are his patrons. In return for doing things for them, they let him do the research that he wants to do. If you want a researcher’s undying loyalty (even a demented whack-job like Qyburn), then give him or her all the research funding that he/she needs.

    Daughter of Winter: Anyway there’s nothing that can stop this season from being the best one so far.

    It will easily fall in the top 6! Seriously, though, it is off to a really good start.

    Clob: I think they could squeeze through the doorway easy enough if that’s the only way out.

    My guess is that they are heading for the large doors where they were lured into the chambers. Tyrion would have had those opened: but there was no particular reason to show it other than people gazing awestruck (or scared into a state of empty bowels) at flying dragons.

  191. Roz's Ghost: There is nothing about Olly they can count on in the terrible days to come. He’s proven himself as someone you wouldn’t want covering your back.

    I agree with your reaction to Olly, the character. He’s a confused disloyal little shit, evidence of great writing and acting to get us to the point of being all riled up.

    Problem is, in our murderous fan glee, other people get riled up too, ones who can’t disconnect the actor from the role, and attack Brenock O’Connor, really attack him personally to his face with all sorts of vileness for taking part in Jon’s death. That’s what it said in one interview of him I read. It has upset him terribly. It’s a shame. He’s a kid, and a darned good actor too. I’d hate it if he quit acting like Jack/Joffrey did. I think some of the other actors have been caught by this kind of nastiness, but have handled it better. Not that any of the good folks here would be that gross, but I don’t want to add too much to it. Boo Olly, yea Brenock

  192. Dutch Maester:
    Jack Bauer 24,

    Are you gonna do this every week Jack xD? Nobody knows for sure so why bother. However, my educated guess is that Liburd’s character is a really small role but won’t be in this ep. McShane’s episode is certainly in the latter half of the season, when the storylines of Brienne and Jaime shift to the Riverlands. There is very little need for Bronn in the story at the moment, and with the relentless pace of this season there is very little room for “filler” (I hate that word and GoT rarely does filler but what the heck) and I’m thinking we will only see him again when Jaime re-recruits him in the second half of the season (which means he can still be in 3-4 episodes). As for Loras, I guess we will see the prison scene with Margaery this week or the next.

    Oh, and before you ask: No. No Littlefinger this week

    You’re the best 😀

  193. Joffrey’s Cunt:
    Off topic guys.
    Could anyone tell which dragon was which when Tyrion went to speak to them??

    I think the second one he unchained was suppose to be Viserion. As he turned his head to expose the cuff to Tyrion I thought he looked lighter and sort of ‘cream-ish’ colored at one point. As much as he could in that lighting anyway.

    aabe:
    Tycho Nestoris,

    I too think that Viserion is smaller (and smarter according to book clues) than Rhaegal.

    I thought the second one was ‘smarter’ as well. He saw Tyrion released his brother and offered the collar to also be set loose.

  194. Bob Warren: but TV shows/stories sometimes make us think one thing and then reveal that actually it was another thing.

    I never have seen a TV show do that in later episodes: it is always done at the end of that episode. And when it is done in an episode, then they always fall to some other introduced plot device: they do not just invent one then and there. Usually this involves solving a mystery or explaining a con. And, remember: for the TV viewer, this would be invented there and then.

    The same would be true of the books, too: 2nd lives are nothing like cloud storage of the mind.

    It is really bad storytelling to introduce a plot item at the moment it becomes important: that is basically Deus ex Machina. It would be absolutely awful story telling to introduce a plot item after it was important.

    All of that stated, I would not be surprised if Jon starts warging now. Bran started warging as a result of a near-death experience.

    Book!Arya starts warging as a result of being blind.

    Jon’s re-awakening was visually very similar to Bran’s, and although that has to be partially because there are only so many ways you can do this (when is the flat-lined patient ever shown to re-awaken from a side view?), it might also be that they were trying to remind us of that. And maybe this is what is going to strengthen Jon’s bond to Ghost enough so that Jon goes from just someone who could warg to someone who does warg.

    (Of course, as Bran and the Wildling wargs show, there is still a steep learning curve, which makes me wonder whether it would be realistic for Jon to become a good enough warg for this to matter in the plot.)

  195. Slightly Biased Wizards Fan,

    Qyburn is a trained Maester, although he was expelled, and they are trained to serve whichever House holds power. He previously served the Boltons, and I’m pretty sure he would happily serve the Targaryens if they conquered Westeros. I don’t think he has any particular loyalty to the Lannisters, although the TV show has portrayed more of a bond with Cersei (bordering on friendship, although that may just be a facade). Actually, though, he does have another reason to side with Cersei because she allows him to do his freaky experiments, so it’s in his interests to make sure she stays in power (can’t imagine Dany allowing him to stay down there in the basement, experimenting on captive women like he does in the book).

  196. Clob: I thought the second one was ‘smarter’ as well. He saw Tyrion released his brother and offered the collar to also be set loose.

    That only shows that the second one was smart: he/she/it learned from watching. We cannot say that the first one would not have done the same.

  197. Dutch Maester:
    Joffrey’s Cunt,

    I’ll help you out. Actually, the HBO viewer’s guide synopsis will:

    “Once in the dragons’ keep, Tyrion recounts his fascination with the beasts as a boy. He slowly removes the collar on Rhaegal, and is shocked as Viserion turns his head to request the same.”

    So there’s your answer.

    OH! I didn’t make it to your post before commenting. I was right!! 🙂 Like I said, I did think there was a flash of lighter attempted cream coloring on the second one.

  198. Clob: Like I said, I did think there was a flash of lighter attempted cream coloring on the second one.

    Yeah, the problem with adjusting for unusual lighting is that you really need to experience that sort of lighting to be able to do it easily. Unless you go spelunking with old school torches, you probably do not have too much experience with the lighting they had there! (I know that I certainly do not.)

  199. Bob Warren:
    Wimsey,

    I’m not convinced that the resurrection “doesn’t need explaining”. We are all assuming it happened because x+y=z, and that’s 90% likely to be the case, but TV shows/stories sometimes make us think one thing and then reveal that actually it was another thing.

    The new theory is H+N=J (Hodor + Old Nan = Jon) That’s the reason Wyllis can only say his own name now. 😉

  200. Wimsey,

    True, it would be a bit ‘deus ex machina’ to do the Ghost thing, as they haven’t foreshadowed any warging abilities for Jon. It does seem like an odd quote from the director, though. Probably just wishful thinking on my part…I was hoping for something more complex and ambiguous.

  201. Mihnea,

    She needs to get there soon. I’d say she’ll be their by the end of the ep. I suspect she’ll be the one to remind Jon about what is important, just by being their. She also has to get to bear island and back and dare I say that’s a fuck of a long way away. lt’s half way across the North again and then a ship voyage to bear Island – not to mention getting back.

    Sou,

    I suspect every one bar the Karstark’s are just biding their time. Remember the Umber’s are split on this so it doesn’t mean the complete house has gone over but just a faction. [ spoiler] All we need is for Jamie to get to the Riverlands and to resolve the siege at Riverrun and release the remaining Northern hostages. [/ spoiler] I’m thinking Jamie might release the Northern hostages at the Twins because Roose has made his own play on against Kingslanding, hoping they will go after the Bolton’s as a consequence.

    Hoyti Von Totiy,

    But the Bolton’s have now rebelled against then crown on the show and so are traitors so any claim or action they have taken can be undone. Again if they are defeated by JON SNOWS ARMY, JSA, it will be a moot point. I Ramsey dies however Sansa can possibly take power as Lady Bolton however we don’t know anything about others in the Bolton line. As such there may be another claimant.

  202. Bob Warren: It does seem like an odd quote from the director, though. Probably just wishful thinking on my part…I was hoping for something more complex and ambiguous.

    Well, I think that Jon might start warging now. In the “about episode” comments, Benioff notes that the Starks have unusually close bonds with their wolves. However: when have they ever really showed that on TV other than with Bran and Summer? Yes, Ghost is close to Jon: but in the same way that we see real dogs be close to real people.

    However, if Jon starts warging, then we probably will learn that Jon has always felt a connection to Ghost and vice versa: and therefore it would make even more sense if Ghost is suddenly aware of Jon’s return just a moment or so earlier than he should be. The audience would probably pick up on warging coinciding with recovery, too: it would remind them that Bran started to really “link” to Summer after his (Bran’s) coma.

    Of course, the viewers might not connect that to Ghost’s response: anyone with any experience with dogs knows that they sense their masters getting home moments before any of us bald monkeys do. A dog would hear and smell Jon’s body kicking back into gear, and Ghost would basically be smelling “fresh” Master again: and that would perk up any canid. (A world in which you recognize by smell and sound rather than by sight has always seemed odd to me: but we primates are odd for the way we do it, really.)

  203. Thronetender,

    Totally agree with this. While we are all free to love or hate characters as we choose, it is a harsh to thing to treat actors like they are their characters. Senior actors like Lena Heady or Charles Dance may be able to take it coolly, but this Olly actor is a kid. However much he may try to act mature, some insults are bound to end up hurting the guy.
    Agree with Roz’s Ghost’s opinion about Olly character too. Although major part of the reason I hate Olly is because he is not in the books. 😉

  204. Dutch Maester,

    Thank you for that information! Although I would have liked the second one to be Rhaegal, because that would have been a lot like the Quentyn situation – he concentrated on Viserion first, only to look back and see Rhaegal breathing fire. Fortunately Tyrion’s case had them all reversed.

  205. aabe,

    Ollie is completely understandable and is in effect a proxy for the feelings of the North towards the Freefolk. I suspect Lord Umber will give us more insight into this mistrust and antagonism next week when he presents his gift. Seeing how that gift is treated may however change his mind, especially when he sees which banners have gathered around Jon and Sansa. Perhaps the gift giving is being played out like Davos’ trial at White Harbour? We will see.

  206. Why is it so important that Arya learns to fight with a stick? The only other person who fights with a stick is Obara.

  207. I HEART DEAD LANNISTERS (EVEN TYRION):
    JCDavis,

    I hate all Lannisters, especially rich little arrogant dwarfs who have to preface every comment with some sarcastic condescension. I hope Jaime buries a sword in the top of his head.

    I was just wondering this morning if anyone dislikes Tyrion. I’ve never heard one person say they don’t like his character and well there ya have it. Gods bless the internets.

  208. Olly is a boy who saw his family killed and village burned by the Wildings. I can understand that he would hate them. And yes Jon took him in, and would assume he’d be very conflicted over that But I suspect that Thorne and co used their own hate to convince him that it was for the good of the watch. I work with kids; Boys his age try to be loyal but are easily influenced by others esp adults. We adults might say that loyalty to Jon was more imporant, but kids don’t have the thinking skills and experience we have. So. while I wish he was able to realize that this was wrong I can’t blame the kid, for thinking it was right.

    .

    Problem is, in our murderous fan glee, other people get riled up too, ones who can’t disconnect the actor from the role, and attack Brenock O’Connor, really attack him personally to his face with all sorts of vileness for taking part in Jon’s death. That’s what it said in one interview of him I read. It has upset him terribly. It’s a shame. He’s a kid, and a darned good actor too. I’d hate it if he quit acting like Jack/Joffrey did. I think some of the other actors have been caught by this kind of nastiness, but have handled it better. Not that any of the good folks here would be that gross, but I don’t want to add too much to it. Boo Olly, yea Brenock

    I was sick when I read that. Not surprised – fans have been doing this for a long time. But poor kid, and his family! Hes a good little actor and think he’d grow into a fine one. But some people are shits. I don’t think us hating his character will add to that, but I get what you are saying

  209. ash: I was sick when I read that. Not surprised – fans have been doing this for a long time

    It’s truly repulsive and everything that’s wrong with fanboy/girls. I remember the hate that Jake Lloyd got for “Phantom Menace” and now he’s a bipolar mess who’s clearly in need of psychiatric help. I ‘m not saying one is connected to the other, but I have a feeling it probably doesn’t help his condition. People need to realize its just a TV show/movie. This kind of stuff doesn’t make you a fan. It makes you Annie Wilkes.

  210. I still hope there will be a conflict between Jon, Sansa and Ramsay. So they would need to unite against WW and everything. And I still believe Sam is going to bring the wall down.

    And Qyburn! I think those pictures are all from the beginning of important scenes. All hail the little birds!

  211. Laura: I was just wondering this morning if anyone dislikes Tyrion. I’ve never heard one person say they don’t like his character and well there ya have it. Gods bless the internets.

    On that subject… No other character made a bigger swing for me in the books than Tyrion. He was written to be utterly despised to start and then a major swing happened some time after the Battle of the Blackwater. Show Tyrion might have been loved by most from his very first scene at Winterfell. Either way, Tyrion is awesome!!

  212. Regarding the Qyburn scene: there are also those pics showing Cersei, Qyburn, the Frankenmountain and Jaime in Qyburn’s Lab.

    To me it will be very interesting what JAIME will have to say when he sees that Cersei has a new good friend who does creepy experiments; and obviously he will also meet the Frankenmountain for the first time.

    I somehow doubt these experiences will deepen Jaime’s bonds with Cersei…

  213. Am I the only one reviewing the quick teaser trailers with the banners

    the one with dany, episode 1, high septon, episode 2, Starks, episode3??
  214. simon:
    Rygritte,

    It’s not. It’s more about how she adjust to having no senses.

    More accurately to use the remaining senses available to her, sounds,smell,touch etc.

  215. Rygritte: Why is it so important that Arya learns to fight with a stick? The only other person who fights with a stick is Obara.

    Thats hands down the best thing I read on the internet today Lol

  216. I’m sure those kids are about to get stabby on someone or other.

    But what would really be ultra creepy is if Ser Robert Strong needed some Soylent Green type sustenance to keep functioning.

  217. It doesn’t matter there is a Arthur dayne or he is holding a sword called dawn or dual wielding. ..
    It doesn’t matter it is 7 vs 3 or 6 vs 2 ..
    It doesn’t matter what happens outside the TOJ other than Ned and howland surviving ..

    What matters is what happens inside the TOJ .

    And I am sure the first scene will be Jon walking out ..
    It would be funny if the first thing he says is after he catches tormund or edd and shouts ” who I’m the seven hells cut my hair “

  218. Colty,

    Qyburn takes over as “varys” in the capital and is probably also experimenting on the ones that dont do his bidding.

  219. Iam glad this will be the last time we will be seeing dany in this costume and as dirty ..even as dirty she is she is still the most beautiful women in the world right ..

    I totally expect or should i say hope that tyrion hears the news about how dragons flew and left meereen ..

    And think we will be seeing drogon later in episode 4 or in epsiode 5 not before that ..

  220. Now that Jon as surpassed dany and sansa equals dany in the total number of epsiode present ..

    I hope Jon takes a break for one episode and sansa tooo and dany present in the remaining episodes …so that jon can be tied with dany in episode count and sansa falls behind them ..

  221. Jack Bauer 24,

    Jack Bauer 24:
    Theon isn’t going back to Ramsay. Just stop. That makes no sense. From filming spoilers we know that he’s going to

    I mean Euron was just introduced you know…

    How do people know that Theon is

    going to Essos? Yes, Yara is seen there in the trailer, but doesn’t mean Theon will be there too. I’m afraid he’ll be killed by Euron
  222. Thronetender,

    Or potentially distract/delay Ramsay from reaching Sansa. That’s the only way I see that possibility playing out. Then we know who

    one of the men on the burning cross turns out to be
  223. Everyone in House Lannister has the same haircut. I think Tyrion’s hair is the longest at present.

  224. Flayed Potatoes,

    Aye-up! Get bloody breakie goin’! Move it, chuff! What? Seen a ghost or summat? Starvin’ ere, me, tha kno’s. Stop f*ckin’ starin’. Tha’s doin me ‘ee-ad in, like. Ed? Fetch me a block. Right, chuffs. Next ‘un as stares gets f*ckin done proper, Janos Slynt style.

    That’s what Northern blokes’d say.

  225. Tycho Nestoris: OT I really liked that they immediately dragon hugged

    That was extremely cute! It looks like they couldn’t fully touch each other while chained. They do have a strong bond, while Drogon is a loner.

    Dutch Maester: “Once in the dragons’ keep, Tyrion recounts his fascination with the beasts as a boy. He slowly removes the collar on Rhaegal, and is shocked as Viserion turns his head to request the same.”

    So there’s your answer.

    Thanks for that. It was impossible to make out – I really did try! 😉 So Rhaegal “laughs” when Tyrion says “don’t eat the help.” And Viserion shows him his neck. Tyrion has bonded to both dragons, it looks like! 🙂

  226. dragonbringer:
    Iam glad this will be the last time we will be seeing dany in this costume and as dirty ..even as dirty she is she is still the most beautiful women in the world right ..

    I totally expect or should i say hope that tyrion hears the news about how dragons flew and left meereen ..

    And think we will be seeing drogon later in episode 4 or in epsiode 5 not before that ..

    Drogon will be seen flying over Vaes Dothrak in “Oathbreaker”, so we’ll be seeing him in episodes 3 and 4.

  227. Kamali:
    Most people have been excited about ToJ, Jon’s resurrection, Manderly, the bastard bowl, etc and while I am excited about all of that too, I think I’m most looking forward to Arya’s 3-episode arc with the theater troupe. Since D&D said that Arya will smile again this season I am assuming that it will happen sometime during these stretch of episodes. I really enjoy meta scenes, or characters reenacting events within the story, and the fact that this will coincide with Arya trying to become no one seems like it will truly be an emotional roller coaster for Arya and the viewer. She’s going to see a version of herself, and a version of Sansa, and a version of Joffrey, and a version of Cersei, and a version of her father. I can see her being amused, then angry, then depressed, then inspired, and I’m anxious to see how Maise will pull off those emotions.

    I thought Maisie said she doesn’t feature as much this season? So she’s in the first 3 episodes + a 3 episode theater troupe arc. There’s 6 episodes right there.

  228. Jack Bauer 24,

    Are you sure.

    I agree its possible and considering we have seen rhaegal and viserion …drogon must make an appearence too ..
    But the scene you are referring to very well be later when dothraki’s start moving from vaes dothrak and I don’t think it will be another drogon coming and saving the day …

    Whatever is going to happen it will by dany herself and she will plan and act to get herself out of this ..

  229. Jack Bauer 24,

    GOOD!! Over anything, I am most excited to see Drogon. He is supposed to be TWO TIMES BIGGER (the size of a freakin airplane!) and he could (will) have a big role this season. The Dothraki could see him as the Stallion who Mounts the World and then follow Daenerys because she has power. Either way, Drogon is definitely going to save Daenerys!
    Man! Hella excited for his introduction into season 6 on Sunday.

  230. On this question of ‘Hate Culture’, involving all kinds of things, including death threats, isn’t it a measure of the actor/actress concerned that the character they portray is so convincing to make this happen? Jack’s performance as Joffrey was brilliant. Carice is wonderful as Melisandre. Brenock’s done well as Olly too. Top of the list is Iwan as Ramsay, making that character so evil. Let’s give praise and credit where it’s due. They are all wonderful at their work with these characters. They, as real people, don’t deserve to become targets of hate campaigns.

    Jack stepped out of the limelight, away from more TV, to do stage-work. Plus, didn’t he go to college? Brenock may well go a similar route.
    Carice proves how good she can be given strong, well-written characters to play.
    I can only see Iwan’s stock rising. Perhaps he’ll be type-cast as villains, which would not show us more of what he can do.

  231. simon,

    I can see how this plays out. Jaime brokers peace in the Riverlands. Freys release all the northern hostages, including Greatjon Umber. They are a bit more inclined to releasing them since Ramsay has ruined the friendship between the Boltons and the Freys. Once Greatjon reaches the Last Hearth, the Umbers no longer have a reason to support the Boltons, and will turn on the Boltons in battle, and save Rickon.

  232. The wolves will come again,

    If Rickon isn’t already dead. If so Sansa may then get a dire wolf again having asserted her Stark identity over the Tully. I’m also hoping the BWB can can then serve up some Frey pie.

  233. Simon,

    I find it quite hard to believe (for narrative reasons) that Rickon will die. What’s the point of having him in the first place and killing him? We don’t necessarily need him to make Jon and Sansa attack Winterfell. The fact that Winterfell is the home of the Starks and was usurped by the Boltons is reason enough for Jon and Sansa to attack Winterfell. Besides, the book reason for Jon to want to take out the Boltons is fArya, so in the books at least, there’s a different plot reason for Rickon.

  234. Green Chili:
    Regarding the Qyburn scene: there are also those pics showing Cersei, Qyburn, the Frankenmountain and Jaime in Qyburn’s Lab.

    To me it will be very interesting what JAIME will have to say when he sees that Cersei has a new good friend who does creepy experiments; and obviously he will also meet the Frankenmountain for the first time.

    I somehow doubt these experiences will deepen Jaime’s bonds with Cersei…

    Don’t forget that Jaime already met Qyburn. He wanted to take his arm of but Jaime didn’t want that. So I don’t think Jaime will be surprised, he will probably thank him for the help he offered Cersei.

  235. More Arya being wacked in the face. People complain about Dany’s story moving slow but this is just so much worse.

    Hm. The landscape looks Dothraki-like in the shot with Isaac (complete with horses). Oh Shiiit is Bran going to see the Dragons born?? Or is that ToJ? These spanish deserts all look kinda similar.

    Qyburn was named master of Whisperers by Cersei last year. I would assume those are Varys’ little birds he’s consulting.

  236. Bergey,

    I think Varys will be playing the Varys role still. Do any of those “birds” look the same as the birds repeatily stabbing someone from the original trailer?

    We do know Varys leaves Tyrion at some point, I have always speculated that Varys will return to KL under secret and dispatch of Pycelle and Kevan, like in the books. However, him getting rid of Qyburn would be good too
  237. Clob,

    I don’t think we know yet if they are eliminating the warging possibilities of Jon and Arya. They could be to show how powerful Bran is, they eluded to the fact that Robb probably could quite a bit during season 2 and 3. But we aren’t to a point yet in the show or books to know if Jon will ever embrace is warging abilities. also, we are not to the point yet in the show if Arya will have warging abilities. I literally think it may be next episode or the one after that. She figures it out while she is blind and training. So, we can’t say for sure if they are eliminating that from those two characters yet, too soon, also we don’t even know if Jon Snow embraces his warging abilities in the book for it to translate to the show. Harington did say he would like to warg – DD said Season 6.

  238. RosanaZugey,

    I actually assume she wouldn’t be in this episode because she is traveling and she will get safely to wherever she plans to go. I don’t foresee them stumbling across any danger before they meet with Davos or Jon.

  239. GrailKing: More accurately to use the remaining senses available to her, sounds,smell,touch etc.

    And if you want to train someone to be an assassin, that’s actually a pretty smart training tactic. Nothing can ever replace sight for a primate, but being able to use other senses well can give a person an advantage over normal people.

  240. RosanaZugey,

    I am not sure if they are the same birds from the trailer scene. It could be and would make sense. Are they Varys old birds still working for him, now “working” for qyburn. Is Qyburn taking Varys spot (I doubt it). There are a lot of options it can go into. To early to tell and we have no idea who they are stabbing from the trailer. My guess is three different people Pycelle, Kevan, or Qyburn himself. But we don’t have any information for that question. So it will stay unanswered.

  241. Stargaryen: I don’t think we know yet if they are eliminating the warging possibilities of Jon and Arya.

    If Show!Jon and Show!Arya are ever to start warging, then it will be this season. (If Book!Jon is ever going to start warging, then it will be in Winter, for that matter.) It would have been too early for them to warg in prior seasons because nothing ever comes of it that is relevant to that season.

    However, if Jon never goes beyond wolf dreams in the books or if Arya warging with Nymeria is not critical enough to retain on the show, then we probably will not see either happen. As we have not read Winter, it is tough to say!

    Stargaryen: they eluded to the fact that Robb probably could quite a bit during season 2 and 3.

    ? They never alluded to Robb warging. He was a main character on the show, and they never did anything like they did with Bran.

  242. Ron Mexico,

    I think they are showing her training for a reason

    in the trailer for the season Jaquen’s voice says a girl gets a second chance, she will not get a third. Then you see Arya running and jumping off a building at a different time. I think Arya will train and train well, almost make you think she will become full fledge no one. then the acting troup shows up with someone that Arya wants to kill. I think she will, then the Faceless men will be after her and she is on the run. Hence runs back to Westeros. Why I think they need to show her training compared to Bran’s is it will be nice to see Arya as a bad ass but her choices during her training could have bad outcome for her in the future, meaning, maybe she runs back to Westeros. Maybe she does some good things While back in Westeros and then all of sudden she dies in season 7 or 8 from a faceless man because of what she did in season 6. it would follow the GoT theme of decisions coming back to haunt you.
  243. Wimsey,

    Of course they didn’t show it like Bran. They want Bran to seem special as he is the only one shown to warg from the Starks family. People started telling stories about how Robb would turn into a wolf before a battle. Obviously very midevilish. My point is, that is a slight way of saying Robb is able to control his wolf during battle – hence warging. There is a scene where Robb doesn’t have to do anything and Greywind just tears those Lannister guards up. Robb has AMAZING control of Greywind in the books and show, much more control than any other Stark kid. You never see him as a POV in the books to know for sure but it is heavily hinted at in the books. Robb actually warging into greywind during battle will never be answered. The show will never answer it and GRRM will probably never answer. Just something small on the side I noticed, only opinion.


  244. Greywind,

    The Manderly’s prob do hate the boltons. But just like the books they don’t openly show loyalty to Sansa or Jon. it is a secret. Also, no mention of Manderly prior to this season. My guess is his son was at the Red Wedding but back in season 3 nothing like that was confirmed. But you are right, probably the best way for him to switch sides. Or it will be his daughter’s rousing Stark speech that gets him to change sides.
    Dee,

    the Umbers join the Boltons for numerous reasons. They can’t rebel the Boltons because the Frey’s have the GreatJon. They also have to sieze an opportunity to grab any power in the north. There is no other power currently to align with in the north. Also, the Umbers hate the wildlings more than any other house. Jon Snow let them pass, unlike any other Lord Commander before them, and this Commander happens to be a Stark in his own right. I mean the Umbers HATE the Wildlings! I expect a full fledge dual between SmallJon and Tormund this season!
    Flayed Potatoes,

    No the Boltons actually attempted to not kill Umbers – even capturing the GreatJon instead of killing him at red wedding. All they did was attempt to get him so drunk it would be an easy capture. It wasn’t the GreatJon still killed multiple people prior to getting captured. Maybe it will be different in the show. But Roose was calculating enough to leave some houses intact.
    GW,

    that would be great, but pretty certain Umbers stick with Boltons til the end. to many shots of Umbers and Boltons together on same side during those battle scenes in the trailers.

  245. JonFookinSnow,

    I think Brienne goes to Riverrun looking for Arya per sansa- Sansa would be an idiot to leave the north. Chances are Sansa gets to a safe place – not the wall. Bear Island or Vale army camp. But I highly doubt Sansa goes to the Riverlands and actually leaves the north.

  246. Dee,

    I think it is a power grab and they better explain it. Terrible terrible writing if they don’t explain why the Umbers are siding with the Boltons. If they don’t even provide a single sentence then I will finally agree that DD can’t write for a show that doesn’t have previous material to go off of.

  247. Connor,

    Well I think you will be upset. Sansa won’t be in every episode. No character ever is. Jon may be this year, he said he filmed more than he ever has and he has had 9 episode seasons. But they need an episode to show him alive and reaction, also a scene with him either making common cause with mutineers or killing mutineers (I am guessing the former). That right there is roughly 15-20 minutes of show. I believe Sansa Brienne and Pod will be traveling this episode, nothing more. They need to handle the resurrection scenes first before Sansa and Jon reunite.

  248. Hawk,

    Well ramsay is in the preview trailer for the episode, and we know he is getting a gift.

    Most likely Rickon.
  249. leech,
    re: your real life bird

    Haha thanks for trying! There’s been a lot of ideas thrown around and I am starting to think ALL of them may be possible/probable.

  250. Stargaryen,

    Also, no mention of Manderly prior to this season
    The ep where Jojen and Meera meet Bran at Winterfell. Was Wyman there?

    I am prob confusing the books and show. It’s really difficult mentally separating corresponding characters in both mediums (which I think is a good thing)
  251. AlexG,

    No worries. Sorry if I was crabby. Sounds like a significant amount of people are experiencing weirdness.

  252. Josh L.,

    book purist here but also NOT AN IDIOT. I just like myself a good sword fight. The sword Dawn is not an important part of the Story. Just a world building tool for the books. 7vs3 or 6vs2 it makes no matter to me. they have the best swords in Europe for this scene, expect the lines to be acted cheesy because these guys aren’t actors lol but other than that, I only want to see one thing during the fight that matches the books – one of Ned’s buddies

    Howland!!!

    has to save him some how. It could be something simple, like a short distraction, nothing to dramatic. Other than that, the previews look like a good sword fight. It always fun to watch a guy stand up to multiple people.

  253. I HEART DEAD LANNISTERS (EVEN TYRION):
    Well, there is more to the ToJ than just the fight scene. Maybe just the fight scene this episode ending with Lyanna crying out to Ned, followed an episode or two later by the events that took place inside Lyanna’s room?

    I wonder if the first ToJ revisitation will be of the fight, with BR escorting Bran, then the second ToJ scene will be a revisit by a curious Bran (perhaps against BR’s advice, or via a BR manipulation) where Bran sees the aftermath of the fight from within the tower. Perhaps that is a moment of truth for Bran (R+L=J), who then pursues Jon’s recent history with other visions…and perhaps stays a bit too long…inviting the attention of other powerful beings…like the NK. Lots of potential here.

  254. Sou,

    There is no dilemma to be given up til now. The Boltons are in control. You are either with them or Ramsay will come kill you. The Boltons have strongest army and the backing of the Lannisters. yes, the Lannister army has never been past the neck EVER. But the threat that the crown will strip a house of their lands and titles because they don’t follow the Boltons is reason enough to stick around with them. But then boom Rickon is brought to everyone’s attention. Some will side with Bolton’s and some with Jon/Sansa/Davos side. Basically Umbers go with Boltons and manderly’s go with Rickon and switch sides. Most if not all Northern lords are aware of Sansa being married to Ramsay. Some will switch but not all.

  255. Stargaryen,

    There was a man at the red wedding bearing the trident. I don’t think they call him by name though. I think it is Manderly’s son, and we will hear of it this season.

  256. Tycho Nestoris:
    aabe,

    I got the sense Viserion was freed first. I say this because I *think* he is smaller than Rhaegal. Complete unfounded speculation on my part. OT I really liked that they immediately dragon hugged

    I feel like we were supposed to think they were turning to eat the food left for them, which was behind them. There were sounds of eating, no? Basically, a quick result: Tyrion frees them, they return to eating.

  257. I thought the Sand Snakes being assassins might have hung around in KL and taken out a few characters rather than Cyburn? Do we believe that they returned straight home ‘mission accomplished’?

  258. Hodors Bastard,

    HB! I think you are on to something with Bran “showing himself” to the second half of the TOJ scene- and you may be right that in doing so, or perhaps, helping himself to visions up north, may lead to that scene with the NK. We have from Isaac’s interviews that his gets a bit arrogant with his power, and we see a bit of this when he steps away from BR and down into the courtyard last week. Clearly, he was going “off script” there, as BR seemed surprised he was gone.

    I just had a chilling thought. What if Bran’s actions lead the NK’s realization that Jon had died? (He will undoubtedly have taken note of that guy who he witnessed kill a WW, and who he later had a face off with)
    Is it possible that the NK could have some control over Jon, now that’s he’s officially died? It does seem like he is some sort of wargmaster for the dead. I suppose it would depend on just how dead Jon ever was/is. It is probably crackpot anyway, but… shiiiiit. “They have no idea what’s going to happen”

  259. Dee,

    Dee, I’m mostly just a lurker, but can I just say — I always look forward to your comments haha. It’s SO nice to see someone so genuinely excited and loving every moment, like me! You rock!

  260. Sister Kisser,

    In my mind it is more likely that Bran’s actions will lead to the Night’s King attacking the cave, he is most likely unaware of this little sanctuary the Children of the Forest have

  261. Dee,

    Heres my issue with the wildlings theory. Ramsey thinks castle black is undefended from the south. He doesn’t know about the wildlings yet, at least we are led to believe, if he’s so sure of the Umbers he’d mention it. Maybe he is assuming since hes Warden now, they will auto side with him.

  262. Sister Kisser: What if Bran’s actions lead the NK’s realization that Jon had died? (He will undoubtedly have taken note of that guy who he witnessed kill a WW, and who he later had a face off with)

    Hi SK. I am absolutely fascinated by the possible game between Bran, BR, NK, CotF, the NK/WW and now Jon. There is history there, no doubt. Furthermore, I doubt this history and relationship will be completely explored in the show…but I do hope BR brings ulterior motives forward rather than simply serve as a mentor.

    As you mentioned, we can’t possibly know what will happen….but I do hope their observations get noticed by others. It’s sort of like Heisenberg’s Uncertainty principle: the very act of observing objects in motion affects their characteristics and motion. (fingers crossed!) 🙂

    Don’t drown, Bran!

  263. Watching the second Episode again…People complaining that Davos was out of character asking for Jon to be resurrected –

    I’m pretty sure if Stannis had been killed in battle with Davos and Mel present he’d have asked the same thing there.

    I think it’s something that might have been in the back of his mind for that possible eventuality hence it occurred to him now.

  264. Bluestreaking,

    This is a more likely scenario, one that is almost a given once we saw the trailers- in my moment of “shudder” I had set this aside. It does appear they leave the cave at some point, probably out of necessity. (the shot with fireball guy appears to be saving Meera)

  265. Not usually one to nitpick.

    But what is up with that disgusting green filter on the Tyrion picture?

  266. Hodors Bastard,

    Heisenberg! Bran’s going surfing… on a rogue wave… Don’t drown!

    Perhaps the WWnet/NK is similar to a ring/sauran thing… where he can see you whenever you put the ring on….

    As for BR, I am still hoping we get some history- there must be some reason he’s the one who ended up there, as the three eyed raven. They haven’t done much to set this all up, but I really hope they don’t cut the backstory in the name of “adaptation”. That would be a sloppy loose end, for sure, and there are so many ways to connect the dots and make a compelling narrative. Ok, Ok, Shiera may be a bit much, but… c’mon- we MUST learn a bit of BR’s story, if nothing else, to tie Jon and Bran’s stories together in a meaningful way.

  267. Sister Kisser: Perhaps the WWnet/NK is similar to a ring/sauran thing… where he can see you whenever you put the ring on….

    Love it!

    Who’s watching the watchmen? 🙂

  268. Just a side note: I see that Youtube comments are already full of people complaining about the Tower scene:
    – No Dawn (the most obvious one)
    – No Gerold Hightower
    – Ned Stark not being sad enough when saying his line

  269. Lord Parramandas:
    Just a side note: I see that Youtube comments are already full of people complaining about the Tower scene:
    – No Dawn (the most obvious one)
    – No Gerold Hightower
    – Ned Stark not being sad enough when saying his line

    People bitch and complain about everything these days, it’s annoying. People are bitching about the new Power Ranger suits, saying they look like Iron Man suits? Yes, they kind of do, but it still has the old armor look with a modern take on it. People will honestly bitch about anything and everything for stupid things.

  270. DRLOW: Don’t forget that Jaime already met Qyburn. He wanted to take his arm of but Jaime didn’t want that. So I don’t think Jaime will be surprised, he will probably thank him for the help he offered Cersei.

    Ofc Jaime knows him; but I really doubt Qyburn’s creation of the FrankenMountain monster will find Jaime’s appreciation…

  271. Stargaryen: book purist here but also NOT AN IDIOT. I just like myself a good sword fight. The sword Dawn is not an important part of the Story. Just a world building tool for the books. 7vs3 or 6vs2 it makes no matter to me.

    In my eyes, that makes you not a book purist. It makes you a fan of the books (which I am as well), but if you’re smart enough to realize that there’s no difference between 6vs2 or 7vs3, and that the sword Dawn is just a world building tool in the books, then you’re not a book purist.

    A book purist is somebody who believes that all of the details in the books should be shown on the screen exactly as it was written. Book purists are people who get seriously upset whenever the show changes anything (such as not having the Pink Letter be a factor in Jon Snow’s stabbing, even though it’s obvious in the books that the Pink Letter was not the main motivation for the mutiny, but was merely a catalyst for the mutineers to act when they did).

    Book purists will be absolutely frothing at the mouth that the Tower at Joy battle on screen is 6vs2, not 7vs3, and that there’s no special “milky white” sword. And, apparently, that Ned is “not sad enough” when he says, “No, now it ends.” (And really, that specific line of dialogue, by itself, is not vital to the story being told; it’s just a nice touch from the books.

    But as you said, that’s not important to the story. What is important is:

    Ned leads a larger group against Targ Kingsguards. All of them are killed except two. Howland Reed does something to save Ned Stark’s life. And all of this is prologue to Ned finding Lyanna on her death bed, and the promise that Lyanna makes Ned do. Those are the vital story elements to keep.
  272. A lot of Mereen photos…

    Also noticed they didn’t add the Sam/Gilly photo?

  273. Even the wine glasses look expensive. HBO really wrote them a blank check this year huh 🙂

  274. Ravyn,

    You’re on the wrong website. Arya is considered too mainstream on here. Sansa, on the other hand…

  275. Strangely, you know one of the things I’m most excited for? Kevan. I really liked the actor, from the very beginning, and his scene in The House of Black and White was just perfect. I imagine Cersei will again cause the same kind of rage in “Oathbreaker”.

  276. Wimsey,

    D&D don’t really consider Arya to be critical in general. It’s like she’s shown by obligation, as shown by the dwindling time her storyline gets on the show.
    Kind of wish they’d cut her out instead of being baited to watch each episode.

  277. Kevan was present at the end of the Walk of Shame so it’s not his first appearance since his departure from KL ! 😉

  278. Chai from Asshai,

    The show doesn’t really care about Arya anymore, because D&D just do not do well with her. They’re better with Jon scenes, and that of Tyrion and Sansa and Cersei. Arya fans are really getting screwed with this adaptation.

  279. Lord Parramandas:
    Just a side note: I see that Youtube comments are already full of people complaining about the Tower scene:
    – No Dawn (the most obvious one)
    – No Gerold Hightower
    – Ned Stark not being sad enough when saying his line

    The NERDRAGE is strong in that sect of the fan base!

  280. Arkash:
    Kevan was present at the end of the Walk of Shame so it’s not his first appearance since his departure from KL !

    True, but he didn’t have a line there 😉

  281. dragonmcmx:
    Really looking forward to seeing Jaime interact with Franken Mountain!

    Yeah, I wonder how he’ll react. Not totally well, I imagine, not in small part because he is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and now he has this monster to deal with.

  282. *Take off grown up hat*

    I WANT TO SEE JON, THE HELL WITH TYRION SEF KLFHR GJH WR#$T $%R!!!!111!

    *Puts grownup hat back on*

    These are very nice. I am very excited.

  283. Kevan is one of my favourite minor characters, so I’m always happy when he appears.

  284. Matt:
    Jack Bauer 24,

    How do people know that Theon is

    I’d like to know this too, actually…

    I mean, do we KNOW that Theon is with her in Essos? I don’t remember when that was said…
  285. Luka Nieto,

    Me too. I hope he doesn’t get the Prince Doran treatment. Ian Gelder is perfect in the role.

    I hope your prediction is right and Kevan takes the place of Genna Lannister, telling Jaime the same thing he told Tywin

    that Tyrion is Tywin’s son, not him

    .

  286. Colty,

    “What the hell is Qyburn doing with those kids”

    The most terrifying game of hide and seek EVER?

  287. RyanMcTwist: Me too. I hope he doesn’t get the Prince Doran treatment. Ian Gelder is perfect in the role.

    Well… of course he will.

    As per the books. I just hope we get a few more great scenes with Gelder before his death. Especially clashing with Cersei again, and taking Genna Lannister’s role talking to Jaime.
  288. Luka Nieto,

    That’s what I meant. I didn’t mind them killing off Doran. I just wish he’d gotten a little more screen time. Alexander Siddig was excellent.

    In which episode do you think it’s gonna go down? And do you think it’s gonna be

    Qyburn who kills them on Cersei’s orders or Varys like in the books?
  289. seejer,

    You’ve got to be kidding. Her scenes with Tywin and the Hound were some of the best in the entire series. The showrunners have done an amazing job with her story thus far.

  290. Meereen may be in chaos, but the tailors have been inspired! 😀 Tyrion’s and Grey Worm’s new clothes look awesome. Grey Worm in that solo picture suggests to me very much the future man-in-charge of Meereen. Missandei too.S o, we may be saying bye to those two characters at the end of the season, and leaving them behind to organize Slaver’s Bay. Somebody has to. 😉

  291. So, we have confirmed: King’s Landing, Meereen, Vaes Dothrak, Castle Black, Winterfell, Braavos, Bran, Sam. (Possibly also: Iron Islands, Dorne.)

    Might be the most storylines in a single episode so far, but they’re all growing more connected, as the last Act begins. BRING IT ON!

  292. seejer:
    Chai from Asshai,

    The show doesn’t really care about Arya anymore, because D&D just do not do well with her. They’re better with Jon scenes, and that of Tyrion and Sansa and Cersei. Arya fans are really getting screwed with this adaptation.

    Uh, D&D have actually given Arya way more to do than what GRRM has given her post Westeros… How can you be so certain they don’t think shes critical, when you yourself say they keep showing her?

    Also Arya was a highlight last year.

  293. RyanMcTwist,
    Oh, I see. I also want to see a few more scenes with Kevan 😉

    As you can see in my predictions, I believe Qyburn will use his own little birds to do the deed, at Cersei’s order. I thought it would happen relatively late in the season, but now… I think he may deal with Kevan and Pycelle before the Faith, instead of the other way around.
  294. seejer:
    Chai from Asshai,

    The show doesn’t really care about Arya anymore, because D&D just do not do well with her. They’re better with Jon scenes, and that of Tyrion and Sansa and Cersei. Arya fans are really getting screwed with this adaptation.

    Let the story play out, in your heart I think you know your spewing BS.
    Both girls are setup to fight for family and home while Jon and Bran are fighting for the realm.

  295. selena weeses:
    Tycho Nestoris,

    LOL Sophie is Kits height (or a little bit taller)..camera angles and other tv magic might make it look otherwise on screen

    No, she is not of kits height, she is a lot taller than him. Kit is 5’6 1/2 and Sophie is 5’9…… 6 cms is a big difference.

  296. Connor:
    I swear if Sansa isn’t in this episode and doesn’t reunite with Jon, I’ll be upset. Maybe they’re saving it for the episode to air? Instead of showing us in photos.

    But would Brienne, Sansa and Pod make it to CB that quickly and undisturbed? I do expect her to make it there but if the timeline is concurrent, would they really make it from the out-skirts of Winterfell to CB in a nights time? Genuine question because I am not aware of how long it would take. I know that the timeline doesn’t really matter, the show wants the characters where they want them, but it would make a bit more sense (for me at least) to show that this isn’t an easy ride up the King’s Road and viola'(!), they are at Castle Black.
    Still, I am desperate for a Stark of any mix reunion. I always envisioned it would be Sansa/Arya or Arya/Jon first, for emotional impact since the Sansa/Jon bond isn’t really established (or in book verse, even exists) but seeing two Starks in the same space will be awesome.

    Bearded Onion: Uh, D&D have actually given Arya way more to do than what GRRM has given her post Westeros… How can you be so certain they don’t think shes critical, when you yourself say they keep showing her?

    Also Arya was a highlight last year.

    Arya was a highlight in Seasons 1-5. Her interactions with Syrio, then Yoren, Tywin, Beric and Co., Gendry, Jaquen, The Hound…hell, she has had some great meat in her story lines and great characters to interact with.

  297. Ravyn:
    I must be the only one who likes the Arya scenes. Even if not a lot of new information is happening, I think Maisie just sells every emotion and finds new layers. Every time I see her act, I feel she’s experiencing that moment for the first time and that’s exciting, even the scene itself seems repetitive.

    I think Maisie is a much better actor than Sophie.

  298. Good to see Ian Gelder/Ser Kevan back in the mix

    Will be interesting to see if Cersei tries to get some of her power back in keeping with what I suspect is shaping as her arc

    That said Ser Kevan is still a Lannister

    spoiler theory

    I do wonder if Qyburn is using them poor kids as his own “little bird” assassins to go round killing people who are obstacles to Cersei (his patron)
  299. George,

    *crashes off table*

    “Guys? Could I get some iron supplements..feeling a bit puny…”

    I’ll be mildly disappointed if Jon isn’t at least a bit wobbly after his hard reboot. (Thank the gods Ghost was holding the Cloud backup file for the OS)

  300. I had completely forgotten that Kevan was made Hand of the King in last season.
    Ghosts Lunch,

    Wonder who his replacement would be after he gets killed by Qyburn or Varys. Maybe Qyburn becomes Hand and Master of Whisperers?
  301. Is it just me or does Tommen look absolutely ridiculous with his crown on? Renly wore it best.

  302. Wimsey,

    Wimsey, yes, Jon has wolf dreams, his first chapter in ADWD starts with one and then there’s the “and for once Jon did not dream he was a wolf” … but unless you count daytime episodes as dreams in ADWD Jon has gone beyond dreams.

    Can he control it? No, but this is a different relationship than Bran and Summer had … I don’t ever recall similar discussions of Bran’s interactions with Summer … maybe each direwolf has a different connections? These are four daytime interactions between Jon and Ghost:

    It was a hunger inside him … it was food he needed, prey, a red deer that stank of fear or a great elk proud and defiant … it was a long moment before he understood what was happening. When he did, he bolted to his feet. “Ghost?” He turned toward the wood, and there he came ….

    He was walking beneath the shell of the Lord Commander’s Tower … when Ghost appeared … the tast of hot blood filled Jon’s mouth and he knew that Ghost had killed that night. No, he thought, I am a man, not a wolf.

    In the shadow of the Wall, the direwolf brushed up against his fingers. For half a heartbeat the night came alive with a thousand smells, and Jon Snow heard the crackle of the crust breaking on a patch of old snow. Someone was behind him, he realized suddenly. Someone who smelled warm as a summer day.

    Jon smelled Tom Barleyccorn before he saw him. Or was it Ghost who smelled him? Of later, Jon Snow sometimes felt as if he and the direwolf were one, even awake. The great white wolf appeared first … a few moments later Tom was there.

  303. KEVAN! Uh oh…in the same episode with

    that pic of Qyburn and the children… Whoa! This could be the wedge between J & C if J knows that C had a hand in Kevan’s death.

    The seemingly throw-away line from Tommen in the Sept about C perhaps killing Trystane would take on new meaning.

  304. Tycho Nestoris,

    True. I’m not a fan of Olly but he did watch his parents murdered in front of him. It’s a very human reaction. He tried to wrap his head around Jon helping the Wildings and he just couldn’t. Poor kid. He needs to die no doubt, but “Poor Kid.”

  305. Ashara D:
    KEVAN! Uh oh…in the same episode with

    The seemingly throw-away line from Tommen in the Sept about C perhaps killing Trystane would take on new meaning.

    Yeah, I’m worried about Kevan. We’ve had 5 named characters from past seasons killed off in their first scene this season. “Welcome back, rest in peace.”

    For that matter it might be time to worry about Pycelle, Littlefinger, Sam, Gilly, and Bronn, who are all still waiting for their first scene.

  306. I just realized … I’ve seen many people call FrankenMountain “Ser Robert Strong” (including on the official HBO recap show After the Throne). But has this name been mentioned even once in the show? All of those pictures are calling him “Kingsguard.”

    I know Ser Robert Strong is the name in the books, but is it his name on the show too?

  307. Also, I’m wondering if it will be a scene between just Kevan, Cersei and Jaime or if it will be a small council scene, because it looks like Olenna Tyrell’s costume on the left, doesn’t it? Presumably she would replace Mace temporarily.

    That would also mean it’s Jaime’s first small council scene in the show.

  308. crimethink: Yeah, I’m worried about Kevan.We’ve had 5 named characters from past seasons killed off in their first scene this season.“Welcome back, rest in peace.”

    For that matter it might be time to worry about Pycelle, Littlefinger, Sam, Gilly, and Bronn, who are all still waiting for their first scene.

    Sam/Gilly are safe. They are premiering Sunday and sailing to Oldtown.

  309. I suppose it isn’t outside the bounds of decency to wonder why not one person on the show has so far asked about, or commented upon, the latest Kings Guard member? Including Jaime? The silent, 7 foot tall, red eyed, purple faced monstrosity, with built-in Cersie mocker GPS, elicits no questions? Not even a “WTF?” From somebody?

  310. This is not saying much, but i feel this will be the weakest episode this season. Especially if we dont get the whole ToJ flasback. Arya scenes are more of the same, and whatever is going to happen in Meereen and Kings landing isnt going to suddenly happen this episode. Very slow pace. Lot of setup.

  311. Well it looks like
    Jane Taylor,

    Doesn’t need to die, not anymore than the Wildlings who were let through the Wall. Jon’s still alive, so no harm no foul, but Alliser will probably get the axe for sure.

  312. Wimsey,

    But wasn’t it shown at the end of season 3 of the Wildling warging to his eagle after his physical body dies, to attack Jon Snow? Some would say whats the point of this scene if not foreshadowing another more major character doing the same? Therefore the outlines have already been shown for this to be used by Jon Snow and us to believe it right?

  313. Pretty sure Jon scenes will be dupe. Since Coldhands isnt in the show, can we expect him be pretty similar to him. It would be nice detail if Jon has blackened hands and pale skin. Being dead does stuff to one.

    When Sam goes to Oldtown, looking forward to Maester Marwyn. Predicts that he is Ian Mcshane and the healing he does will be on Ser Jorah.

  314. Ron Snow,

    this is totally whats going to happen..we will see fight outside..bran will hear or see something that will make him want to follow Ned inside..Bloodraven brings Bran back out of vision *cue NOOO!!!! from all of us fans **..Bran will revisit vision later..we will only see partial vision again**things are thrown..many tvs are broken**…and end of season we will see what we all want to see **cheers and rejoicing across the land**

    now whether Bran figures it out or it is explained in scene I dont know

  315. You guys realize that we haven’t actually seen the iron throne in over a season? seems strange, it being the thing that everyone is fighting over.

  316. Daegon,

    No one is fighting over it anymore. At this point time, the Lannisters/Tommen won. I expect things to change whenever Dany finally reaches Westeros.

  317. I’m a little worried for Olena . If she says something snarky to Cersie wont Sir Robert Strong smash her head in or something … Plus there’s been so many missed opportunities . I wish she had been standing with them at the entrance to the red keep when Cersie walked in . Would have been so cool if she had shown some concern like left the audience wondering whether she was faking it or actually disapproves what they had done to Cersie and her fear of what could possibly happen to Margaery . Also last episode would have been awesome if they had Olena visit Cersie in her tower while the others are at the sept only to offer some sort sympathy in the form of a story of a relative who died and Cersie being new Cersie reacting a little differently … Why is Olena underused

  318. kells: But would Brienne, Sansa and Pod make it to CB that quickly and undisturbed? I do expect her to make it there but if the timeline is concurrent, would they really make it from the out-skirts of Winterfell to CB in a nights time? Genuine question because I am not aware of how long it would take. I know that the timeline doesn’t really matter, the show wants the characters where they want them, but it would make a bit more sense (for me at least) to show that this isn’t an easy ride up the King’s Road and viola'(!), they are at Castle Black.

    The Sansa scenes are taking place earlier than the Castle Black scenes.

    Mel left Stannis not long before the battle outside Winterfell and arrived back at CB at the end of season 5 (a journey of days if not weeks).

    If Jon was killed the night she arrived then a couple of days have passed since she arrived there.

    Sansa and Theon escape Winterfell while the battle is being fought, at most a couple of days have passed for them since then.

    So Sansa, Brienne and Pod leave the vicinity of Winterfell about two days after Melisandre does, meaning that (barring any incidents) they should arrive at CB a couple of days after she does.

    So they could easily turn up there in the next episode.

  319. Sansa’s Knight,

    Olena is a little different than some random flea bottom peasant. I don’t think she has much to fear if she runs her mouth. Especially since the trailers showed that the Tyrells show up in Kings Landing in full force.

  320. Jon of the house Targaryen, first of his name, The Prince that was Promised, Heir to the throne, The Warrior of light, Protector against the Long night and The song of Ice and Fire personified.

  321. Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but Qyburn

    is holding a what looks to be hexagonally-shaped box, showing it or presenting it to the children. What’s in the box?
  322. Pounce:
    Daegon,

    That will happen in Episode 4.

    We’ll see Drogon Sunday though. The shot in the trailer where he flies over Vaes Dothrak.

  323. Stargaryen,

    The Bolton’s certainly don’t have the backing of the Lannister’s any longer. Roose even mentioned it in some of his last dialogue as he was walking and talking with Ramsay about beating Stannis troops. They went against the Lannisters by bringing in Sansa to marry Ramsay. They still accuse Sansa of being in with Tyrion on Joffrey’s death. You might also remember Littlefinger running to Cersei to tattle.

  324. Ron Snow: Yes, in the season 5 finale Qyburn introduced him as Ser Robert Strong.

    I just rewatched the scene. Qyburn never says “Ser Robert Strong.” All he says is “May I introduce you to the newest member of the Kingsguard?” Then the camera pans up to FrankenMountain’s face. Then “He’s taken a vow of silence until all of your enemies are dead.” No name is given.

    We only know of “Ser Robert Strong” from the books.

  325. Matthew The Dragon knight:
    Jack Bauer 24,

    that was announced last Friday wasn’t it ?
    also episode 10 runtime will be announced tomorrow wont it ?

    No episode 8 was announced last Friday, episode 9 today, and the finale next week. They posted Episide 9 runtime early. It’s always on Friday, but they put it up tonight. The HBO schedule goes 6 weeks out.

  326. Jack Bauer 24: No episode 8 was announced last Friday, episode 9 today, and the finale next week. They posted Episide 9 runtime early. It’s always on Friday, but they put it up tonight. The HBO schedule goes 6 weeks out.

    Sorry mate, you’re wrong.

  327. Well calling it now…

    603 is Kevan’s last episode. Cersei tells Qyburn to dispose of Kevan and Pycelle. Qyburn gets his little birds to do the dirty work.
  328. Jack Bauer 24,

    That was true for the first 4 seasons. Sophie has improved by a big margin since S5. She is killing it so far in S6. They are both brilliant performers.

  329. irsmitty,

    Didn’t that manticore that attacked Dany back in season 2 come in a similarly-shaped box? He’s probably giving them all their own little pet manticores to wreak mischief with… crazy ol’ Qyburn!

  330. Josh L.,

    I’m afraid they are showing how soul-less he is and Cersei will be using him for power and revenge, but little Tommen is going to get the worst of it…which will send Cersei full-on mental.

    On another subject – The kid who plays Rickon is pretty tall now. He’s probably eye-to-eye with Ramsay. I do think he is ‘the gift’ but I’m hoping he’s a fake Rickon. Since there are a few ‘fake’ storylines in the books, I am hoping that the Umbers have done a Rickon switch. (although I’ll still feel bad for any little man that Ramsay has his hands on – Stark kid or not)

  331. This is completely off the subject, but since the Tower of Joy is featured in Episode 3, I have a question: Let us say for the sake of discussion that the Fan Theory about Jon Snow is correct & that he is Lyanna’s and Raegar’s Son. Let us further stipulate that she died in childbirth in “a bed of blood.” Ned is there at the Tower of Joy. He has to bring his dead sister home to Winterfell so she can be buried in the family crypt. He will also have a newborn baby with him he claims is his bastard born son. Caitlyn is not a dumb woman. She has also given birth so she knows what the process does to a woman. How in the world can Ned convince her this is his baby & not his dead sister’s? If I were Caitlyn I would have figured it out. If that’s how it went .

    I really hope the “gift” they bring Ramsay is not Rickon. I hope it’s not a person. Maybe it’s information. Maybe his people heard that Jon Snow was dead.

  332. Roz’s Ghost: This is completely off the subject, but since the Tower of Joy is featured in Episode 3, I have a question: Let us say for the sake of discussion that the Fan Theory about Jon Snow is correct & that he is Lyanna’s and Raegar’s Son. Let us further stipulate that she died in childbirth in “a bed of blood.” Ned is there at the Tower of Joy. He has to bring his dead sister home to Winterfell so she can be buried in the family crypt. He will also have a newborn baby with him he claims is his bastard born son. Caitlyn is not a dumb woman. She has also given birth so she knows what the process does to a woman. How in the world can Ned convince her this is his baby & not his dead sister’s? If I were Caitlyn I would have figured it out. If that’s how it went .

    I believe in the books Lyanna Stark’s body was sent back to Winterfell immediately, while Ned Stark went to Starfall (where House Dayne lives) to return the sword Dawn. Ned spent some months there, then returned to Winterfell with Jon Snow. The “rumor” in Westeros is that either Ashara Dayne (Arthur Dayne’s sister) or the wet nurse Wylla is Jon Snow’s mother.

  333. Roz’s Ghost:
    This is completely off the subject, but since the Tower of Joy is featured in Episode 3, I have a question: Let us say for the sake of discussion that the Fan Theory about Jon Snow is correct & that he is Lyanna’s and Raegar’s Son. Let us further stipulate that she died in childbirth in “a bed of blood.” Ned is there at the Tower of Joy. He has to bring his dead sister home to Winterfell so she can be buried in the family crypt. He will also have a newborn baby with him he claims is his bastard born son. Caitlyn is not a dumb woman. She has also given birth so she knows what the process does to a woman. How in the world can Ned convince her this is his baby & not his dead sister’s? If I were Caitlyn I would have figured it out. If that’s how it went .

    I really hope the “gift” they bring Ramsay is not Rickon. I hope it’s not a person. Maybe it’s information. Maybe his people heard that Jon Snow was dead.

    It’s a person. Smalljon Umber gestures like he’s about to introduce a person.

  334. Colty,

    right?! going through the pictures i was like “this is okay, this is okay and this one’s okay … my only real concerns is what the hell’s he doing with these fucking kids?!?” xD

  335. weirwoodtreehugger,

    I don’t know of someone already replied to this (so many comments) but Tyrion and Sansa didn’t consummate their marriage. its probably not binding.

  336. seejer,

    No I have not seen the X men clips. I have seen the first two episodes of this season, and I think she has been fantastic so far. For example, the scene where Brienne asks her what happened at WF. Sansa does not reply, but her expressions say so much! Or the scene in ep 1 where she accepts Brienne’s oath. I definitely think she is a good actress. A movie like XMen may not bring out her best, even though I cannot judge as I have not seen any trailer/ clips etc.

  337. Thronetender,

    I don’t think LF planned to really ally w the Boltons. His is a long game and he is a superb liar. I think he did know about Ramsay but he also knew they wouldn’t kill Sansa. He probably planned to do as he did. Get authorization to invade the north. But it is hard to say for sure with him. Especially as he sat out the first two episodes.

    It might be that he is just very good at adapting. Say he did mean to ally w the Boltons against the Lannisters. When Cersei found out he played it to his advantage. But something tells me this isn’t the case. He doesn’t need to ally w anyone against the Lannisters because Cersei is doing a fantastic job of tearing that house to the ground. He did tell her about Sansa w a purpose. To create more chaos.

    Chaos is a ladder for LF. And he does want everything. Those are some few truths he has said. I also believe his enduring love for Cat was a crock of shit. In the end, the mystery of LF makes him one of the most interesting characters IMO.

  338. Wimsey,

    I don’t know that the payoff has to be immediate for it to work as good story telling. As far as I can recall there was no big payoff to bran warging in season one. It came later, when we realized he was a warg.

    On the other hand, I agree that if it’s going to happen for Arya it will happen now. Before they restore her sight.

  339. Hoyti Von Totiy,

    The Lady will take the husband sir name if his family is of higher ranking nobility. The Lannisters trump in rank and wealth. Cersei retains her family name.

  340. aabe,

    Could you please not post shit like this? Or mark it properly so I can avoid it? I thought it was a book spoiler and so I clicked on it. I’ve been trying like hell to remain unspoiled from that Reddit stuff. I feel like this is a different level of spoiler and I wish ppl would at least mark it as such outside of the spoiler area so those of us that don’t want to be spoiled don’t click!

    I don’t mind casting and interview spoilers, or even trailer breakdowns. But not this. This isn’t how I wanted to find that out. ?

    Edit: oh shit. You did mark it. I wasn’t being careful. My bad!

  341. Greywind,

    If my memory serves me correctly in the books, the Boltons are aligned with the Lanisters and the Boltons have an hostage of the Manderlies.

  342. Well that pretty much confirms.

    Qyburn sends little birds to kill Ser Kevo, or should I say Lord Kevo, and Pycelle. Kinda obvious. A b-character returning for an episode for their death.

    Kinda also think that the camera will pan away before the end of the Tower of Joy to save the reveal for later.

  343. On another note, I agree with others that Kevan should be given at least a few episodes. If he’s killed off the episode he returns this season’s going to start to feel a bit rushed in my eyes. This dude needs a few more quality scenes before he’s taken out.

  344. Jack Bauer 24:
    Is “I choose violence” in this episode?

    It is. There’s the shot of Robert Strong in the promo that was also in the trailer when Lancel told Cersei to order the men to step aside.

  345. Jon I know Nothing Snow:
    Wimsey,

    But wasn’t it shown at the end of season 3 of the Wildling warging to his eagle after his physical body dies, to attack Jon Snow? Some would say whats the point of this scene if not foreshadowing another more major character doing the same? Therefore the outlines have already been shown for this to be used by Jon Snow and us to believe it right?

    If the rumors of Rickon being the gift and getting killed by Ramsay at the beginning of the big battle are true they maybe have Rickon warg into Shaggydog and Shaggydog killing Ramsay? Just speculation.
  346. Gravemaster: It is. There’s the shot of Robert Strong in the promo that was also in the trailer when Lancel told Cersei to order the men to step aside.

    Do you think Lancel is a goner this episode then?

  347. Lyanna_Targaryen,

    Lol! I seem to have misplaced my grown up hat today as well. So impatient for Sunday to get here. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of Jon than we ever have. 🙂 I’ll miss his long hair tho…

  348. Geone:
    I can’t wait to see Wyman on screen !!!

    I thought for a moment you meant Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones and I thought is yet another musician in Game of Thrones Lol. It sounds as though there will be some version of the Manderly subplot – whether with the same name or not I don’t know but following episode 2’s Manderly name drop it’s possible.

  349. kells,

    Time is non-linear with any TV show, not just GOT. If shows were real-time, how many episodes would it take to tell the story that unfolds in one non-linear episode?
    If there was a switch to groups of scenes within one area playing out in each segment of the show (between adverts), would you have a balance that suits all? You’d still have some storylines running ahead, lagging behind, having mysterious time jumps….

  350. Jack Bauer 24,

    Sophie has been killing it lately.

    I think they are both amazing, and have very different scenes.

    I too love Arya’s scenes. Shes in my top 5 so love any of her screen time. Want to know where this is going though.

  351. Sullied by Knight,

    Yeah, Roose knows he doesn’t have the backing of the Lannisters any longer. But the rest of the North does not know. No one from Kings Landing sent out ravens saying we no longer vouch for the Boltons, take them down if necessary. They have stayed loyal due to army size and appearance of the backing of the King and royal army. You use that appearance to make others stay loyal.

  352. Love this comment from a GoT fan on another forum regarding Ser Arthur Dayne

    I think the main problem with Dawn is that its description in the books almost defies portrayal on screen without it looking like it’s made out of aluminium or is an oversized sharpened popsicle…

    LOL, so much this yet there will be nerdrage…

    That said dual wielding swords is generally very impractical.

  353. Crazy thought! The Wight Walker breaking the internet scene. Just trying to throw out ideas. First and most obvious is The Walkers bringing down the wall. Second – is the Night’s King makes it night time, permanently. Think about it, it is perfectly sunny out or daylight out. He comes walking up in front of his army and raises his hands to the north and boom, The Long Night begins. Wildlings and Northmen alike would freak the hell out, heck I would! Third – Bran sees a vision of the Walkers during a battle in the first long night (I know the scene is daylight, just cause it was called the long night maybe didn’t have to be dark in that scene). Same scene where the Night’s King can see Bran having his vision. That begins the reason why Brand, Hodor and Meera leave the cave – BRING ON THE RETURN OF BENJEN STARK! He has only been mentioned in last 3 episodes (Olly tells Jon BenJen is alive from a Ranger in season 5 ep 10, They show that same scene in the “Previously on Game of Thrones” section in season 6 ep 1, lastly we get little BenJen in Season 6 ep 2.) I think BenJen will be playing a reverse Coldhands role. Help guide them from the cave to their next destination – where as Coldhands was guiding them to the cave. It could be Coldhands and not Benjen I guess – we aren’t that far in the books to know if Bran leaves the cave. ANYWAYS – ONE OF THEM IS COMING I FEEL IT, PRETTY SURE IT IS BENJEN!

  354. Dee,

    Both Maisie and Sophie are great actresses on their own merit… I never understood this need to oppose them.

  355. With the episode 10 runtime being 69 minutes, this will be the longest episode in Game of Thrones history, beating the longest episode contender the Children by three full minutes!!!

    I did some math, and looks like season 6 is tied with season 5 for the third longest seasons. Both clock in at 564 minutes. Not bad.

  356. Roz’s Ghost,

    I believe only Lyanna’s bones got sent back to Winterfell. Couple that with the fact that Ned came home later with a new bastard son, and I can see Caitlyn not figuring it out.

  357. Daegon,

    Such a bottom heavy season. At first it looked like it was going to be the shortest season yet, but it’s onw of the longest.

  358. Kit Hairyton:
    https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlNsuWQt1OQ/Vyc3VNXb0CI/AAAAAAAAAuY/dB289aQtpj8gOoaOTSYkaUpmnI6OR246QCKgB/s1600/Game%2Bof%2BThrones%2BSeason%2B6%2BEpisode%2B%25233%2BPreview%2B%2528HBO%2529.mp4_snapshot_00.06_%255B2016.05.02_12.54.15%255D.jpg

    Wildlings and Night’s Watchmen standing together, united by a resurrected Jon. They may have started out this scene giving each other the evil eye, but the game has changed. God, I fookin’ love this show.

    Also, I need to update my top ten fave characters to include Tormund.

    I’m not sure those are Nights Watchmen as apposed to Wildings wearing NW clothes. They all have very heavy beards…None of the guys locked in the room with Jon’s body had beards…

  359. Bluestreaking:
    Sister Kisser,

    In my mind it is more likely that Bran’s actions will lead to the Night’s King attacking the cave, he is most likely unaware of this little sanctuary the Children of the Forest have

    Agree.. especially how during the old times (when it was only the children, the giants and the whitewalkers) they (the whitewalkers) were enemies with the children. So if they figure out that some of their old enemies are still alive, they would (the whitewalkers) immediately attack them.

    Of all the story on how the first long night was ended, I was more inclined to the “Northern Hero”, which was believed to be Bran the builder who later build the wall (not Bran the broken) more than the Azor Ahai prophesy which came from Essos. Essos was rather too far to really be concerned against the whitewalker (just in my opinion.)

  360. George,

    That’s actually what I had hoped would be the first thing after his rezzing. He wakes up, gasps, and while still breathing heavily he just says “Ghost!”. Would be a nice way to pay homage to his last word in the books.

    I don’t see it happening though. He will most likely just silently get up and walk outside, blind everyone with that magnificent piece that was hidden below a blanket last episode, cue Tormund’s “I think you’re some kind of god.” line.

  361. Bluestreaking:
    Sister Kisser,

    In my mind it is more likely that Bran’s actions will lead to the Night’s King attacking the cave, he is most likely unaware of this little sanctuary the Children of the Forest have

    Agree.. especially how during the old times (when it was only the children, the giants and the whitewalkers) they (the whitewalkers) were enemies with the children. So if they figure out that some of their old enemies are still alive, they would (the whitewalkers) immediately attack them.

    Of all the story on how the first long night was ended, I was more inclined to the “Northern Hero”, which was believed to be Bran the builder who later build the wall (not Bran the broken) more than the Azor Ahai prophecy which came from Essos. Essos was rather too far to really be concerned against the whitewalker (just in my opinion.)

  362. dragonmcmx:
    George,

    That’s actually what I had hoped would be the first thing after his rezzing. He wakes up, gasps, and while still breathing heavily he just says “Ghost!”. Would be a nice way to pay homage to his last word in the books.

    I don’t see it happening though. He will most likely just silently get up and walk outside, blind everyone with that magnificent piece that was hidden below a blanket last episode, cue Tormund’s “I think you’re some kind of god.” line.

    He says “They think you’re some kind of God” and I think he’s talking to Mel.

  363. I wish someone would smack that glib drunk Tyrion hard across the face and send his goblet flying. I wish Greyworm would do it.

    Greyworm’s clothes are kinda’ feminine with the v-neck and cinched waist and peplum…but yet, very masculine. Maybe it’s his body inside the clothes that make them masculine. Varys wouldn’t wear it the same – if you take my meaning.

  364. Jack Bauer 24,

    He says “They think you’re some kind of God” and I think he’s talking to Mel.

    I thought he was talking to Jon. Tormund hates Mel, judging by the glares he gave her when she said words over Jon. The Free Folk hate her too for trying to burn Manse. And, the only way they MIGHT think Mel is a god is if they know Jon’s alive and they think she did it. But why would they think she’s a ‘god’ and not Jon? And, wouldn’t he say ‘Goddess’ instead, maybe?

    Just a question.

  365. Is Malisandre dead? She left the room before the last two men and Jon came to life. Her magic failed, she left and may be did something she thought would work but also take her own life? She was pretty depressed after Stanis’ death.

  366. Why do i get the feeling that there is something far worse in-store for poor Rickon than just a simple death. Makes me sick just thinking about a potentially flayed Rickon. Ramsay seriously needs to die. Haven’t the Starks suffered enough? 🙁

  367. For a second there i thought i was the only one freaked out by qyburn being alone with a group of kids?!

  368. Colty,

    Qyburn was named master of whisperers by Cersei after Varys left, so I presume Qyburn now has his own little birds.

  369. Ghost: Qhono’s beard and hair look super fake.

    Came here to post this. Zooming in on that photo, it is fakest of fake beards I have ever seen on this show.

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