So, I thought it might be fun to rewatch the previous season of Game of Thrones before the final season, but when I looked up my previous rewatches, I realized I had skipped Season Six! So double time!

Episode title: The Red Woman

Director: Jeremy Podeswa

Written by: David Benioff & D. B. Weiss

Summary: At Winterfell, Ramsay Bolton mourns the death of Myranda, but commands that her corpse be fed to the hounds. Roose blames Ramsay for losing Sansa, and implies that he will disinherit Ramsay if he cannot retrieve her and his unborn child is a son. Sansa and Theon are cornered by a squad of Bolton soldiers, and are rescued by Brienne and Podrick. Brienne again offers to pledge her loyalty to Sansa, who accepts.

Doran Martell receives news of Myrcella’s death 1 He is warned by a note from Jamie and is aghast, but he and Areo Hotah are immediately murdered by Ellaria Sand and Tyene Sand. Jaime Lannister arrives in King’s Landing bearing Myrcella’s body.Cersei recounts the prophecy which Maggy the Frog told her as a child, when she was told all her children would die before her and she would be left with nothing.

Across the city, Margaery Tyrell converses with the High Sparrow, but he refuses to give her information about her brother Loras. In his ship still docked in the harbor, Trystane is painting stones for Myrcella’s funeral. Obara and Nymeria Sand board his ship and enter his cabin. He attempts to defend himself from Nymeria but is stabbed through the back of the head by Obara.

Tyrion and Varys walk through the streets, and discover that someone has set fire to all of the ships in Meereen’s harbor. Daario and Jorah discover Dany’s ring in the middle of thousands of hoof-prints, deducing that she has been taken by the Dothraki. Daenerys is presented to Khal Moro. She asks him to escort her back to Meereen, but he refuses to let her leave, as widows of Khals must live out their lives in Vaes Dothrak.

Arya Stark, now blinded, is sent to beg on the streets. The Waif suddenly appears and forces Arya to duel her using a wooden staff. Arya fails because of her blindness, and the Waif promises that she will return the following day.

Davos, Edd, and a few other loyalists release Ghost and take Jon’s body into a store-room, locking themselves in from the mutineers. Edd sneaks out of Castle Black to get assistance from the Wildlings. Ser Alliser Thorne takes responsibility for Jon’s murder, stating that Jon would have destroyed the Night’s Watch by letting in the Wildlings. They surround the store-room and promise amnesty if they surrender, but threaten to attack if they don’t open the door by nightfall. Elsewhere, goes to sleep in her bedroom. As she undresses, she removes her ruby necklace to reveal a physical body many years older than she appears to be.

My take: I kind of feel this season the writers took it upon themselves to start clearing up plot lines that don’t really have much to do with the endgame. Hence the Dorne storyline is pretty much ended. I also feel this is another season of Arya treading water until her return to the main action.

Changes from the books: Everything this season with the exception of the High Sparrow storyline is beyond the scope of the books as currently published.

Nudity: Melisandre, whom we have seen nude before, but not like this. This time both young and old

Locations on the Map: King’s Landing, Winterfell, The Wall, Braavos, Meereen, Dorne

Death Count: Doran Martell, Trystane Martell, Areo Hotah are killed by the Sand Snakes. A quartet of Bolton soldiers killed by Brienne and Pod

Quotes:

“Buried? Burned? She’s good meat. Feed her to the hounds.” –Ramsay

“It’s a good thing you’re not a boy anymore. Because you have no cock.” -Tyrion

 

 

Episode title: Home

Director: Jeremy Podeswa

Written by: Dave Hill

Summary: At Winterfell, Maester Wolkan announces that Roose’s wife Walda Frey has given birth to a son, prompting Ramsay to stab Roose, killing him. He then lures Walda and his baby half-brother into the kennels, where he has them mauled to death by his hounds. Sansa learns that Arya is alive. Theon tells Sansa that he cannot accompany her to Castle Black, and that he plans to return “home.”

In Flea Bottom, a drunkard boasts about having exposed himself to Cersei during her walk of shame. After he leaves to urinate, he is confronted by Gregor Clegane, who smashes his head in against a wall. Jaime threatens the High Sparrow in response to Cersei’s treatment at their hands, and the High Sparrow responds that the Faith Militant is large and its soldiers have nothing to lose. Cersei Lannister is forbidden to leave the Red Keep for Myrcella’s funeral by her son King Tommen in an effort to protect her from the Sparrows.

In Meereen, Tyrion heads to the dungeons to free them. While wary at first, the dragons do not attack Tyrion and allow him to undo their shackles before retreating deeper into the dungeon. Arya is surprised when Jaqen H’ghar appears and attempts to tempt her with food, bedding, and the return of her vision. Arya refuses all of Jaqen’s offers, and Jaqen tells Arya to follow him, telling her she no longer needs to live as a beggar on the streets.

Bran continues his training with the Three-eyed Raven. He witnesses a vision of a young Eddard Stark, Benjen, and Lyanna Stark training together in Winterfell, and also learns Hodor’s real name, Wylis. Balon Greyjoy encounters his brother, Euron Greyjoy, who has come to overthrow him. Balon attempts to stab Euron, who throws him off a bridge to his death. At Balon’s funeral, Yara swears revenge against Balon’s killer, but is reminded by her uncle Aeron, a Drowned Priest, that her position as successor depends on the results of the Kingsmoot, a ceremony where the Ironborn elect their new leader.

As Alliser Thorne is about to break through to the room where they have Jon’s body, the outer gates of the Castle are breached by the giant Wun Wun, followed by Tormund Giantsbane and an army of Wildlings, who have returned with Dolorous Edd. Outnumbered, the Night’s Watchmen lay down their arms, and Alliser and the mutineers are dragged off to the cells under Edd’s orders. Davos pleads with Melisandre to attempt to resurrect Jon, reminding her of her previous miracles. She attempts a ritual, but seemingly to no avail. Defeated, Melisandre, Davos, Edd and Tormund leave the room. Within moments, Jon suddenly awakens on the table.

My take: I have to say I miss Roose Bolton’s voice. I could listen to that man speak all day. And then there’s Ramsey. He’s been literally a cruel bastard for three seasons, but wait! Let’s have him kill a mother and baby. I like Max Von Sydow as the new and improved Three Eyed Raven and Bran clearly found the Neville Longbottom puberty spell.

Changes from the books: Balon dies much earlier than this

Nudity: None

Locations on the Map: King’s Landing, Pyke, Winterfell, The Wall, Braavos, Meereen

Death Count: Roose Bolton, stabbed by Ramsey. Balen Greyjoy, tossed off a bridge by Euron. Flea Bottom drunk guy, head smashed into a wall. Night’s watch member, hilariously tosses into a wall by Wun Wun

Quotes:

“It is beautiful beneath the sea, but if you stay too long you’ll drown” – Three-eyed Raven

“That’s what I do. I drink, and I know things” – Tyrion Lannister 2 I have this on a wine glass

“Next time I have an idea like that, punch me in the face” – Tyrion Lannister