Season six of HBO’s Game of Thrones has been on fire so far (kinda literally), and we’re only four episodes in on the ten episode campaign. At this point, the TV series is now venturing into uncharted territory. We’re now ahead of the source material, so viewers and book readers alike are witnessing new events, and man – has season six been eventful or what!?
With episode four in the books, let’s examine a few of the biggest takeaways from last night’s happenings:
1. Bastard Bowl is going down. Get your tickets now! An initially reluctant Jon Snow was finally convinced to travel South to Winterfell to take on the Bolton army. Even if he had decided to stay at Castle Black, Ramsay Bolton was going to come to him. Either way, we’re getting this battle. Why? Well, because Ramsay’s beloved Sansa Stark escaped Winterfell, and being the sharp guy he is, he realizes exactly where she’s going.
Sorry, internet – I’m not buying that Sansa orchestrated Rickon’s capture and wrote the letter herself to lure Jon back to Winterfell. It seems as though she’s been through enough that if she divulged that information to Jon, he’d probably think something along the lines of, “yep – that’s pretty shitty. Let’s go kill this raging asshat.”
Still, Jon is understandably torn – he’s been fighting his entire life. He “did what he thought was right and was murdered for it,” remember? Not only that, but as Edd reminds him, the White Walkers are heading South. Who’s going to stay back and fend them off if Jon, Brienne, and 2,000 of Tormund’s Wildlings take off for Winterfell?
Jon is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. It’s Ramsay or the Night’s King, and there might not be time for both – not sure the dire nature of Jon’s predicament has been stressed enough. There’s no way for him to win. He’s my favorite character, and I’m not quite sure how to root for him in this conflicted state. Right now, it’s simply “Jon, just don’t die again.”
2. Khaleesi adds another army. Yep – seems as good a day as any to completely take over the Dothraki, only the most savage group of warriors in the GoT universe (I’ll hear your arguments). Daenerys Targaryen is approaching indestructibility, and with Tyrion’s brilliant help, should have the entirety of Slaver’s Bay in the palm of her hands shortly. Actually, let’s shoot for all of Essos, then, sail some ships over to King’s Landing and take over the world. I don’t know – seems like a good goal to have.
3. Theon returns to the Iron Islands. I’m not exactly sure of the role that the Iron Islands will play in how the grand scheme of this story ends. If you know why/how this plays into the grand scheme of things, please let me know. I love reading theories and such, but there doesn’t seem to be a ton of interest in this story. Still, I’m rooting for Yara in the Kingsmoot, and hopefully, Theon will enact some sort of revenge on Ramsay for, y’know, chopping his cod off and stuff.
4. Jorah can’t catch a break. Damn – my heart goes out to Jorah Mormont. You’re stuck on a trek with the guy who’s banging the woman you’re madly in love with. On top of that, the guy is a stone cold fox, handsome as all get out, owns a badass knife, and is willing to march on the Dothraki alone. Also, his skin is not actively turning to stone. He’s got it all! It just feels like a real big bag of shit for Jorah to eat right now.
5. Robin Arryn. Gross. Littlefinger is back, showing off his influence over the impressionable little titty baby that is the Lord of the Eyrie. Seriously – could this kid be any more hopeless? Doesn’t even realize what a pack of pudding he is, either. Just aimlessly launching arrows into the dirt and smiling about it. No doubt he’s still being breastfed – and I’m betting it’s from the guy who Littlefinger threatened. But, y’know, if you’re Littlefinger – you’ve got to play the game.
6. R.I.P. Osha. Really liked her – she was a total badass, died being a badass, and was a total babe. Way to rip our hearts out, HBO.
7. Shit is about to pop off. I’ve heard some really great things about where Arya is going with the Faceless Men. But, in this next episode it looks like we’re going to get some clarity as to what her next move is. This triangle struggle between the High Sparrow, Cersei Lannister, and Old Lady Tyrell (that’s her name, right?) is a triple threat capable of headlining any Wrestlemania – so many moving parts, though. Has Loras Tyrell been broken? What information has he given up? Could it be that he confessed to his family’s involvement in Joffrey’s murder? And now that the High Sparrow has manipulated Tommen, that information has made its way to Cersei? Is Cersei setting up a battle between her two bitter enemies just to watch the bodies fall? So many questions.
One way or another, there’s little doubt that all-out chaos is coming to King’s Landing.
And, holy shit – Bran Stark encounters the Night’s King? Also, if you didn’t notice – it appears as though Bran is Greenseeing during this point, but the Night’s King REACHES OUT AND TOUCHES BRAN! Goosebump City. Next episode is going to be a doozie.
Character power rankings
5. Tormund – Get you some of that Brienne of Tarth, buddy. Also, that’s pretty cool of you to offer wildlings with no formal military experience or training to Jon’s cause.
4. Littlefinger – Oh yeah, he’s back and as manipulative as ever. He’s one of the most intriguing characters on the show.
3. Tyrion – Still got it! You make peace with your enemies and not your friends, and all that jazz. He’s a true ‘player of the game.’ Let’s just hope Grey Worm is wrong, and Tyrion is not indeed the one being used.
2. Sansa – Happy to see Sansa finally becoming a woman of action. There are so many people who deserve a chance at completely wrecking Ramsay, but she’s at the top of the list.
1. Dany – Obviously, the big winner in this episode. You go girl!
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley,@PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo
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