News

Title of Season 6, Episode 4 leaked?

Posted on by Sue the Fury

Stranger

We know the titles of the first three episodes of Game of Thrones season 6, and now we might know the fourth.

According to the episodes page for HBOAsia‘s website, the title of episode four this season is “Book of the Stranger.” Though the title is unconfirmed by HBO USA at this time, it’s unlikely that HBOAsia would have added the title to their system without it being provided to them, and we’ve seen this title nowhere else.

The phrase is not a direct reference from the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. The Stranger is one facet of the Seven, the new gods of Westeros, but the Stranger is the least popular one as he represents death.

It’s possible the title is literal and simply referring to something religious, since the Faith of the Seven storyline is still in play this season, with Margaery and Loras’ current imprisonment and Cersei’s trial on the horizon. References to the Stranger of the Seven crop up throughout Westeros and beyond. The word ‘stranger’ without religious connotations is also common enough that the title could have double meanings, and refer to other people.

Thanks to WotW reader TheMannis for letting us know about the title!

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

147 Comments

  3. Book of the Stranger … if confirmed, aside from a physical object, it could also just relate to people either being added to a list of the dead OR people being removed from it (e.g. resurrected/found alive)

    your spoiler commentsArya could cross another off her list?
    Sandor comes back?
    The fallout of Jon’s resurrection
    Rickon found alive your spoiler comments [/ spoiler]

    I FORGOT HOW TO SPOILER TAG WHY ISNT THIS WORKING FML

  6. I like it, but it is very rare that I complain about a title anyway; it is the quality of the episode that matters. Having said that, this is certainly the most intriguing title of Season 6 so far (if true).

  8. “The Stranger represents death and the unknown, and leads the dead to the other world”…also their returning?

    Sandor, Snow. A certain Lady.

  17. I wonder if this could be a book at the Citadel, one that wasn’t named but referred to in ADWD. If it is that would be awesome. But it could also be something ‘invented’ for the show as well.

  18. Clear reference to the Billy Joel album, will involve show’s first visit to Asshai, which of course the denizens will refer to as “ASS-HIGH,” and they’ll be like, “OMG, are you FUCKING SERIOUS with that dress? It’s not even leath-A!”

  21. Lyannaes:
    Book of the Stranger … if confirmed, aside from a physical object, it could also just relate to people either being added to a list of the dead OR people being removed from it (e.g. resurrected/found alive)

    your spoiler commentsArya could cross another off her list?
    Sandor comes back?
    The fallout of Jon’s resurrection
    Rickon found alive your spoiler comments [/ spoiler]

    I FORGOT HOW TO SPOILER TAG WHY ISNT THIS WORKING FML

    You are putting a space between your last slash and the word spoiler. No spaces and it will work for you. Also you need to add the spoiler tag in brackets at the beginning of your spoiler with no spaces

  22. We are all Unsullied now…and I kind of like it. Gives us a sense of mystery to deal with.

  23. Interesting title. I think it was to be expected that there’d be a Faith of Seven related title this season. Obviously this could refer to more than just the Faith storyline.

  24. Hmmm I guess it would be something related to Sam’s track. May be he finds something in Citadel related to white walkers or magic in general.

  26. The holy text of the Faith of the Seven has been referred to as The Seven-Pointed Star. Perhaps, akin to the Bible, it has a “Book of…” for each of the seven gods.

  27. Probably references quite a few things. Dany surviving a big set piece, Jon’s resurrection, and perhaps someone – no idea who – bites it

  28. Nadia:
    Probably references quite a few things. Dany surviving a big set piece, Jon’s resurrection, and perhaps someone – no idea who – bites it

    Ser Loras.

  31. Atish Vaze,

    Technically it’s a leak, because I’m sure HBO US would rather it not have gotten out before they deigned it public knowledge. Dunno why they can’t just have an on/off switch for things like this but I know nothing about airing television shows internationally or otherwise. Probably tech related.

  32. Just a thought – Could Book of the Stranger have any connection to the Egyptian Book of The Dead? I think the book is about funerals and resurrection isn’t it?

  33. Sean C.:
    The holy text of the Faith of the Seven has been referred to as The Seven-Pointed Star.Perhaps, akin to the Bible, it has a “Book of…” for each of the seven gods.

    That was my first thought too. In one of the trailers or promos the High Sparrow is talking to Tommen about how everyone deserves death. Maybe something to do with that? 😉

  34. steffan,

    The eyeballs will collectively melt out of the fandom, leaving HBO with no more viewers and effectively ending the series.
    /kidding

  36. Many good suggestions here. Also, isn’t the Stranger one of the faces of the Many-faces God? Arya could also be involved.

  37. Sean C.,

    In the Histories and Lore for Season Five, I think there is one called “The Seven Pointed Star” IIRC. In it Jonathan Pryce says there are 7 books in there, each relating to an aspect of the 7.

    Here’s the video:

  38. Clearly this is a reference to the Necronomicon, and this is the episode where Ash first appears.

  40. Wykeham,

    Since each of the gods represents a certain aspect of life, I imagine the Book of the Stranger would be funerary rites, the nature of the afterlife, etc.

    Brooklyn Ann,

    Unless we’re just going to see the Quiet Isle independent of any other POV, it’s too early for the gravedigger. None of the main characters are going to be in that area at that stage of things.

  41. Knight of the Walkers:
    I like it, but it is very rare that I complain about a title anyway; it is the quality of the episode that matters. Having said that, this is certainly the most intriguing title of Season 6 so far (if true).

    Heck, it might be the most intriguing title of the whole series thus far! Color me intrigued if this title is accurate…

  42. A new description for Ep2, “Home” on my TV –

    “Bran trains under the guidance of the Three-Eyed Raven, Tommen gets advice from Jaime, Tyrion must get creative to find good news, Thorne has the support of the Night’s Watch, Balon Greyjoy hears several proposals, Ramsay comes up with a new plan.”

  43. Interesting.

    -conflict with the High Sparrow and his followers

    – Jonny boy coming back from the dead (if it’s in episode 3, we will see the aftermath here…how he has changed)

    -burning some remaining dead NW members

    -more people getting killed, especially in KL and maybe even the North (hi Roose!)

    – Faceless Men related things, gods, death

    – something with Bran….maybe visions of the future or discussions about death

    – Sam *something something* books

  44. Perhaps we’ll learn more about the faceless men and the temple of black and white? Perhaps the book refers to prophesies of death and it’s over coming.
    Perhaps the gift of death needs to be given to this who have not passed when the stranger called?

  45. Cersei’s Brain:
    A new description forEp2, “Home” on my TV –

    “Bran trains under the guidance of the Three-Eyed Raven, Tommen gets advice from Jaime, Tyrion must get creative to find good news, Thorne has the support of the Night’s Watch, Balon Greyjoy hears several proposals, Ramsay comes up with a new plan.”

    Balon hears several proposals?

  48. Didn’t Jonathan Pryce say in an interview that we will learn lots of things about the High Sparrow in this season – where he came from, what made him think as he does, and so on?

    I bet this is what the Book of the Stranger refers to!

  52. Wykeham:
    Just a thought – Could Book of the Stranger have any connection to the Egyptian Book of The Dead? I think the book is about funerals and resurrection isn’t it?

    The Egyptian Book of the Dead was not a single book, but a personalized document interred with every person important enough to afford a fancy burial. They all had things in common, though, and were sort of guidebooks for the soul after death.

    Probably the most interesting part of the Book of the Dead was a section of testimony that the deceased had led a righteous life. It’s a list of statements that they did not commit each of some 30 or 40 conventional sins, which would be evaluated as they were being judged by Anubis. Some scholars theorize that this list is the original inspiration for the Ten Commandments in Hebraic lore.

  53. Jack Bauer 24: Balon hears several proposals?

    I guess Yara will propose some plan of action for what the Iron Born should do next, and maybe some other plan from the Damphair.
    Both of them going in complete opposite directions, Balon contemplates on the choice offered by his relatives until Euron shows up and settles things up… that’s my guess.

  54. My first thought was Book of the Dead aka Book of Coming Forth by Day aka Book of emerging forth into the Light.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead

    the Book of the Dead contained spells aimed at preserving the body of the deceased, which may have been recited

    purpose – to help the dead King take his place amongst the gods, in particular to reunite him with his divine father Ra;

    Most spells begin with the word ro,

    incantations to ensure the different elements of the dead person’s being were preserved and reunited

    magical as well as religious. Magic was as legitimate an activity as praying to the gods (lol)

    The heart, which was regarded as the aspect of being which included intelligence and memory, was also protected with spells, and in case anything happened to the physical heart, it was common to bury jewelled heart scarabs with a body to provide a replacement. The life-force remained in the tomb with the dead body.

    Some spells also refer to the magical healing power of saliva.

  55. Watching waiting:
    Green Chili,

    The high sparrow is howland reed heard it hear first everyone !!!!!!

    Heard it a million times before, and it’s one of the lamest tinfoil theories out there. The Crannogmen were descended from the First Men and were even rumored to have blood of the Children of the Forest. The Reeds would be closer to the Old Gods than most; the notion that Howland could pass as an expert on the Seven just seems silly.

  56. Stavross,

    “This..is…my…BOOMSTICK!”

    Ash just popping up Army of Darkness-style would make this the greatest show in history.

  58. Sean C., Some of the info hasn’t been in the correct episodes but close

    RIVERLANDS – BWB, Meribald brings the Hound back.

    If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions. :p

  60. Cersei’s Brain,

    Several? So we’ll Damphair and/or Euron for the first time.

    Also, something that just occured to me… since showEuron has both his eyes… he probably won’t be nicknamed Crow’s Eye, right?

  61. Arkash: I guess Yara will propose some plan of action for what the Iron Born should do next, and maybe some other plan from the Damphair.
    Both of them going in complete opposite directions, Balon contemplates on the choice offered by his relatives until Euron shows up and settles things up… that’s my guess.

    Damphair isn’t at Pyke yet?

  62. Rygritte,

    I don’t follow.

    Are you of the opinion that the stuff with the Hound will be completely standalone, as in, unrelated to the other series regulars? That’s really not been their style.

  63. I can’t think of any other show where an episode title would be considered a “leak” lol.

  65. Considering the picture associated with the episode title (High Sparrow) I’d say it is related to the Faith Militant.

  66. Maybe it’s all about Qyburn and his book of human experiments as Cersei has him working on re-animating Myrcella. Because why the fuck not?

  67. I like the title: very specific in one light, but could still refer to lots of other stuff. It would be even nicer if the episode juxtaposes someone like the High Sparrow saying something is absolute because it’s in the Book of the Stranger with a Faceless Man reiterating the Stranger is just one way of describing death. It might be a bit on-the-nose (I mean, I still roll my eyes a bit when Ramsay says “and leave a feast for the crows”), but it ties into one of the larger themes of the story: that despite all the sides and factions and religions and cultures, people are still by and large the same.

    And on the topic of working a Daenerys reference into the title…it strikes me that if she’s ever worshipped centuries down the line, Drogon would probably be the part of her statuary that the Faceless Men borrow for the Hall of Black and White…

  68. Simon,

    Thanks for the shout out! 🙂

    Hoping for the Quiet Isle in ep 4. Perhaps Brienne and Pod will be there by then on their way to Riverrun.

  69. Catelyn is dead. Jon is dead.

    Chances are more people you care about will end up dead. If that bothers you go back to reading Harry Potter.

  70. GeekFurious: People still think Jon is going to be resurrected… poor things.

    shush up now – yes, we still have hope beyond hope and you’re not helping. Yikes, you don’t really believe he’s NOT coming back … do you? 🙁 don’t answer that, I can’t hear you anyway, fingers in ears la la la la la la la

  71. If the runtime of this ep is indeed 59 minutes some form of mid season conclusion to the KL situation is likely reached.

  72. Ashara D,

    That’s be good to see. It’s clear Miss B is going to look for Arya again so that would make sense to take a nosy around there.

  74. The phrase is not a direct reference from the A Song of Ice and Fire novels.

    Well, it’s not a direct reference from a published Song of Ice and Fire novel. But, then: not much of this season will be!

    Connor: Proposals for what?

    It’s his turn on the Iron Island Science Foundation review panel. I hear that there are several stimulating research proposals being put forth, including one contrasting drowning, whipping, flaying and other means of prisoner interrogation, whether ships travel faster with naked women, sea-dragons or krakens as decorations at the prow, and whether people sink faster in plate, chain, ring or leather armor. As the funding rate will be low this year due to war time costs, the competition will be intense.

  75. This is interesting. Perhaps the HS

    hands out a punishment to Loras and swears on the Book of the Stranger in passing his sentence, or whatever…. and there may be other deaths (and/or rezzes), of course.

    Seems like the kind of thing a fanatic would do, anyway.

  76. Wimsey,

    Boats obviously travel faster when the entire crew’s tongue are detached. Cause, ya know, drag and all that….

  78. Jon is coming back … Mel saw him fighting in Winterfell. He must return before the Battle of the Bastards… Unless he comes back for the big war between men and white walkers???… No, he will be back this season.

  82. Jerkface: Chances are more people you care about will end up dead. If that bothers you go back to reading Harry Potter.

    Catelyn is nowhere near as important a character is is Jon. Catelyn was a minor protagonist; Jon is one of the two chief protagonists. Stories are told by how characters evolve from the beginning to the end: and more than any character other than Daenrys, Jon’s evolution is the story. Everything is set up to once again have Jon and Daeny strongly parallel each other’s evolution this year: both are essentially “dead” and in need of revival from an outside source to which they have prior connections.

    Rygritte: I think he could hold his own, especially with a newbie like Ian McShane.

    The Hound is a supporting character only: they will not make him the center point of a plotline.

  84. Rygritte,

    Most spells begin with the word ro,

    I must be tired. My first thought was “ro, ro, ro your boat” and my next thought was Gendry.

  85. Maybe this is the “I choose violence” episode, where Robert Strong kills tons of Sparrows, including poor Lancel. I expect horrible and disgusting deaths.

  86. The Hound’s horse is Stranger, but didn’t he die in the show?

    It would be great to have the scenes in the Quiet Isles with Brianne as in the book!

    CLEGANEBOWL!

  89. RBloodworth,

    Don’t know if a shotgun works in westeros.

    Maybe they could cold open with Ash in S-mart in the future… Then he gets sucked back into ancient westeros?

  90. Wimsey,
    Maybe Littlefinger will run into them on his way to the Vale.

    I have the Vale down for the next episode, but it could be in E3. I also have in E2 RIVERLANDS – Walder & Lothar. Bowen.

  91. Firannion: The Egyptian Book of the Dead was not a single book, but a personalized document interred with every person important enough to afford a fancy burial. They all had things in common, though, and were sort of guidebooks for the soul after death.

    Probably the most interesting part of the Book of the Dead was a section of testimony that the deceased had led a righteous life. It’s a list of statements that they did not commit each of some 30 or 40 conventional sins, which would be evaluated as they were being judged by Anubis. Some scholars theorize that this list is the original inspiration for the Ten Commandments in Hebraic lore.

    This title did make me think about the Book of the Dead. People would connect it to resurrection but it is almost the opposite of resurrection. Since it is more of a guide into the afterlife.

  94. Rygritte,

    Why would you think they’d be appearing that early? The Riverlands stuff doesn’t start up until the last four episodes or so, and we know the guy playing Lothor is in only three episodes.

  95. The “book” part gets me thinking Sam’s in Oldtown, perhaps.

  96. Wimsey: Catelyn is nowhere near as important a character is is Jon. Catelyn was a minor protagonist; Jon is one of the two chief protagonists.Stories are told by how characters evolve from the beginning to the end: and more than any character other than Daenrys, Jon’s evolution is the story.

    Given how many apparent “chief protagonists” have been killed off in both book and show already, you seem awfully confident that you know who’s the ultimate focus of the story, less than 5/7 of the way through.

    Sean C.,

    There’s no reason the Gravedigger would have to be in the Riverlands in the show.

  97. El-Bobbie:
    Mag,

    Unless someone glamours as Jon and that’s who Mel saw fighting at Winterfell.

    Because a glamoured person would have Jon’s fighting abilities?

  100. Sean C.,
    Like I said, I’m just going by filming/sightings timeline to speculate. This is what I’ve got, and it’s a little off:

    E2
    VALE – Yohn Royce, Robin Arryn.
    RIVERLANDS – Walder & Lothar Frey. Bowen.

    E3
    RIVERLANDS – BWB, Meribald brings the Hound back.

    E6
    RIVERLANDS – Walder & Lothar Frey.
    RIVERRUN – Bronn; Jaime & Blackfish argue, w/Blackfish possibly defending garrison & shooting flaming arrows. Frey troop. Green Recruit.

    E8 – Bryan Cogman
    RIVERLANDS – Graveyard – Pod.
    RIVERRUN – Brienne argues w/Jaime in his tent & chats w/Bfish. Bronn pleased 2 c Pod & sneaks up behind him & pretends to attack him. Edmure, BWB, Lothar Frey.

  101. Wimsey,

    I agree with you that he is coming back and that he and Dany are main protagonists. However, I think it behooves us to keep in mind that GRRM is the master of crushing expectations. He uses a lot of conventional narrative devices and tropes, but those twists are something to behold. Mainly the red wedding and Ned. My point is we shouldn’t get to complacent or confident in our predictions of how things will turn out.

    Still, the marketing for the show and Mellisandre’s visions have me convinced he will be back. And I can’t wait! Mostly because I want to know how they do it. I’ve been waiting for years.

  102. Jaime can’t be

    at Riverrun Episode 6 because that’s the one where he’s “rescuing” Margaery at the Sept of Baelor.

  107. Reckon Ser Loras gets killed in this episode, leading to the Tyrells to call on the Randyll to rip KL apart

    Think this may be that “I choose violence” scene as well, eg Franken-Mountain is some kind of undead creature

    Think Arya’s training takes a big step

  108. Rygritte:
    My first thought was Book of the Dead aka Book of Coming Forth by Day aka Book of emerging forth into the Light.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Dead

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought of the Book of the Dead.
    That probably implies a lot of religious subtext about death (Ian McShane’s speech?), and forms of ceremonies and stuff. Interesting!

  109. My first thought was that it sounds like a heretical text that was perhaps removed from the seven-pointed star. It seems like followers generally acknowledge the stranger, but generally don’t pray to him/her. Maybe the seven-pointed star doesn’t have a text on that facet of their god, but people in The House of B&W would for example be cool with reading it.

    I don’t know, maybe that’s all nonsense – anyway, looking forward to finding out.

  111. Wykeham:
    Just a thought – Could Book of the Stranger have any connection to the Egyptian Book of The Dead? I think the book is about funerals and resurrection isn’t it?

    This is what I thought too…
    I have studied archaeology, and although I did not major in Egyptology (I did study it for three semesters, though), I think there may be some connexion to that. As friends have already observed, there was not a single Book of the Dead (the rich and powerful ordered their own personal copy), but although the contents differed, the basic stuff was the same. And yes, there were spells that would protect the deceased and help him on his path to the afterlife. It is not really about ressurection, though, but ok, in terms of pop culture with the mummies and stuff, it wouldn’t surprise me that the producers/screenwriters etc thought it a good idea to link the Stranger to Anubis.
    At least I wouldn’t mind seeing it, and I promise if it is the case, I will not break everyone’s nerves by complaining about inaccuracies!
    Then again, this could be that the title has nothing to do with religion; it may just be an enhanced list of Arya’s (of all the people that she wants to meet the Stranger)!

  113. The way I see it, as per the Faceless Men, all gods are the same god, who is Stranger, that is death. And it makes sense for the god of death to be responsible for resurrections, in a duality kind of way (which may be why he has beef with the Walkers, who disrupt his work with their undead). Hence also the mental references to the Book of the Dead that we’re making.

    So, I think this will be an episode with a heavy divine-magical presence. We already know that this will be so in Dany’s storyline, and I also think it will be in Jon’s. If so, it seems like it will be a pivotal, plotline-shattering-and-reforming episode, probably one in the top 10 once the series is over.

    The people who talk about Sandor Clegane’s horse… Brienne will likely still be escorting Sansa around. More to the point… lol. ‘The Book of Sandor Clegane’s Horse’.

  116. Why are you still believing the Hound will be back? The ONLY source for that is what was perceived as a big spoiler by Ian McShane. Everybody seems to have forgotten that all he made was a suggestive remark, which was instantly over-interpreted.

    Sorry, CleganeBowl hypers – but he will bring back neither Jon Snow NOR the Hound. He will bring back a “much-loved character who everybody thinks is dead”.

    He’s the one who will bring back Catelyn Stark as Lady Stoneheart.

    Mark my words.

  118. Perhaps in this episode it will be revealed that Jon is very dead and it will be confirmed he won’t be coming back.

  120. Mel’s comment about seeing in the flames Jon in Winterfell was a classic early-episode-set-up-for-late-episode like Brienne saying she wanted to kill Stannis and later doing so.

  121. Seems like they saw our predicted episode titles and decided NOT to use any of them. This is like 0/10 from our lists

  122. Green Chili:
    Why are you still believing the Hound will be back? The ONLY source for that is what was perceived as a big spoiler by Ian McShane. Everybody seems to have forgotten that all he made was a suggestive remark, which was instantly over-interpreted.

    Sorry, CleganeBowl hypers – but he will bring back neither Jon Snow NOR the Hound. He will bring back a “much-loved character who everybody thinks is dead”.

    He’s the one who will bring back Catelyn Stark as Lady Stoneheart.

    Mark my words.

    Ahem, I think you’re the one who is “over-interpreting” McShane’s words…

    If McShane is indeed playing a Septon Meribald/Elder Brother combination character, it’s not LSH who he’s bringing back.

  123. jennyofoldstones,
    I like that idea. That the seven pointed star is seperated in seven books, one for each god, and The Book of The Stranger is taken out of every copy and hidden beneath the Cidadel in Oldtown. That would be awsome.

  125. everyone else will fade into obscurity once tyrion targaryen, comes out of the dragon cave riding his dragon.
    mark my words it’s coming this season

  126. Lyannaes,

    Geez even people can’t tell you how to do it right. You put ” [ spoiler] ” before what ever you want hidden. Then put ” [ / spoiler] ” at the end of what you want hidden. no spaces, don’t put spoiler in the plural. It explains it in the informaton right before the comment section. Test it out and see if you can get it to work

  127. I can see Loras being offed around this time. Wasn’t there a sighting of Diana Rigg in Dorne Country? Olenna could ally with the Dornish women to sack King’s Landing after this insult (and after her blustering son fusses and frets and accomplishes nothing).

  129. Flayed Potatoes,

    That’s what I’m thinking too, I can just make out the side of the persons face and idk if it’s just me but it looks like someone with a black beard, like Jons.

    I’m not jumping to conclusions just yet, just my opinion as well.

  131. I don’t have time to go through all the comments, but my first thought about Book of The Stranger was that it would be related to Sam arriving in Oldtown and finding something good in biggest library in Westeros.

    Also, this is my first time posting. Hi! 🙂

  132. The Mother,

    Welcome!

    This is a very good place for discussing the show. We do get a bit exited sometimes but it’s very friendly, and miles better then any place I’ve been to!

  135. All this talk of death and resurrection, but as mentioned before this was supposed to be the episode that Dany is with all the widows, ever stop to think the big burnt building is from her lover boys burning it knowing that she would survive the flames, well atleast one knows she will but that’s a good 5 minute argument between them about the whole deal thensomeone comes and they have to act fast….anyhow all the other widows burn, giving you the death and when she does not they look at her as a god and now will follow her to war….just a thought….

  139. Connor,
    I saw a brightened version of that shot and it looked like Jon with a man bun. The ear, chin, shape of head and height seemed to match.

  140. stevesmith: ever stop to think the big burnt building is from her lover boys burning it knowing that she would survive the flames, well atleast one knows she will

    Nope. I don’t think Jorah would risk it, but Drogon might. Plus, when Drogon flies over the horde, they don’t scatter which leads me to believe they’ve met him before at VD.

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