After months of speculation, reading dozens of optimistic articles, scavenging for set photos, and reading every David and Dan say in interviews, Game of Thrones has finally returned. While it's far from the eventful episodes that finished off season 5, 'The Red Woman' set up what's to come this season, and I think we are in for one of the best seasons of Thrones yet.
We began back at Castle Black where season 5 left off, as Jon Snow lie dead after being murdered. As expected, Davos finds his body and with the help of a few Night's Watch members, brings his body to safety. I'm glad they spent a good amount of time at the wall because that's ultimately what everyone wanted. We didn't get any real answers in terms of a resurrection, but we have to believe it's coming, right? Sadly, it seems as if Melisandre has given up all hope on anything and everything (seriously WTF to that final scene).
Sansa, Theon, and now Brienne seem to be heading to Castle Black in what will probably be the most gratifying storyline of season 6. With Sansa out of danger and doing things on her own terms I think it will be very satisfying seeing what she does in the North. We may be in for a war of the north type outcome with the Bolton's also on their way to The Wall. I just hope the road trip doesn't take place over the entire season and Sansa gets to Castle Black within a few episodes, thus having the battle be mid-season and at the latest the end of the season. If the show is only going to go 8 seasons, story lines need to pick up the pace a bit.
Speaking of road trips, Jaime's trip to Dorne definitely didn't turn out the way he planned as it ended with the tragic death of Myrcella. As if Cersei wasn't already going to kill everyone who ever wronged her, this death may put her over the top. Tommen is likely not far from biting it himself. But hey, at least Doran Martell died right?
The other 'shame' victim would be that of Margaery, although not nearly at as much fault as Cersei was. Much like Sansa's trip to Castle Black, I hope Margaery finds her way out of that cell sooner or later and we can get back to bada** Natalie Dormer. Though if Cersei has anything to say about it, her days will be numbered.
Lastly, Arya and Daenerys made brief appearances as well. It seems Arya will be having the rough end to the stick for the majority of the season before she inevitably gets her sight back (to a certain extent). I can't say I know exactly where her story will be taken this season nor do I know if it will really relate to the bigger picture at all, but more Arya is usually the better. Daenerys on the other hand, is taking a step back from her progress towards Westeros. As Tyrion put it "I don't think the queen will be heading to Westeros anytime soon". I don't like the fact that she is now in captivity with another Khal and her ships are burnt to shreds. I want this season to end with her heading to Kings Landing, and that seems way out of the realm of possibility at this point.
In all, it was a set up episode for all intents and purposes but it sucked me back into the world of Thrones, and I'm instantly stoked for next week. I'm hoping each story moves at a nice pace to get us at a great place at the end of season 6. Everything this season seems to be leading towards multiple battles/wars, and that's what we want to see. Plus, we are one step closer to Jon Snow returning (fingers crossed). On a side note, does anyone else want Ghost to tear Alliser Thorne's face off?
+Spent a good chunk of time at the wall
+Davos to the rescue
+Brienne & Sansa!
+Dany takes a stand
-But the ships being burnt slows down her plans
8.1/10
We began back at Castle Black where season 5 left off, as Jon Snow lie dead after being murdered. As expected, Davos finds his body and with the help of a few Night's Watch members, brings his body to safety. I'm glad they spent a good amount of time at the wall because that's ultimately what everyone wanted. We didn't get any real answers in terms of a resurrection, but we have to believe it's coming, right? Sadly, it seems as if Melisandre has given up all hope on anything and everything (seriously WTF to that final scene).
Sansa, Theon, and now Brienne seem to be heading to Castle Black in what will probably be the most gratifying storyline of season 6. With Sansa out of danger and doing things on her own terms I think it will be very satisfying seeing what she does in the North. We may be in for a war of the north type outcome with the Bolton's also on their way to The Wall. I just hope the road trip doesn't take place over the entire season and Sansa gets to Castle Black within a few episodes, thus having the battle be mid-season and at the latest the end of the season. If the show is only going to go 8 seasons, story lines need to pick up the pace a bit.
Speaking of road trips, Jaime's trip to Dorne definitely didn't turn out the way he planned as it ended with the tragic death of Myrcella. As if Cersei wasn't already going to kill everyone who ever wronged her, this death may put her over the top. Tommen is likely not far from biting it himself. But hey, at least Doran Martell died right?
The other 'shame' victim would be that of Margaery, although not nearly at as much fault as Cersei was. Much like Sansa's trip to Castle Black, I hope Margaery finds her way out of that cell sooner or later and we can get back to bada** Natalie Dormer. Though if Cersei has anything to say about it, her days will be numbered.
Lastly, Arya and Daenerys made brief appearances as well. It seems Arya will be having the rough end to the stick for the majority of the season before she inevitably gets her sight back (to a certain extent). I can't say I know exactly where her story will be taken this season nor do I know if it will really relate to the bigger picture at all, but more Arya is usually the better. Daenerys on the other hand, is taking a step back from her progress towards Westeros. As Tyrion put it "I don't think the queen will be heading to Westeros anytime soon". I don't like the fact that she is now in captivity with another Khal and her ships are burnt to shreds. I want this season to end with her heading to Kings Landing, and that seems way out of the realm of possibility at this point.
In all, it was a set up episode for all intents and purposes but it sucked me back into the world of Thrones, and I'm instantly stoked for next week. I'm hoping each story moves at a nice pace to get us at a great place at the end of season 6. Everything this season seems to be leading towards multiple battles/wars, and that's what we want to see. Plus, we are one step closer to Jon Snow returning (fingers crossed). On a side note, does anyone else want Ghost to tear Alliser Thorne's face off?
+Spent a good chunk of time at the wall
+Davos to the rescue
+Brienne & Sansa!
+Dany takes a stand
-But the ships being burnt slows down her plans
8.1/10