The dragons are coming home to roost!
Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is dead and all seems lost in the North. Cersei (Lena Headey) finds that she has created a monster in the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) which could threaten her son’s rule. Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Theon (Alfie Allen) have escaped Ramsay (Iwan Rheon), but Ramsay might not be finished with them. Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) finds her plans to build an army to take Westeros crumbling and learns being the Mother of Dragons doesn’t necessarily mean success. While Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) trains with the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow), he might learn a thing about his own past and a hope for the future…but winter has come!
Welcome back, Bran!
Game of Thrones—Season 6 aired on HBO from April 24, 2016 to June 26, 2016. The series continued to receive praise and awards from fans and critics. It won Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (“Battle of the Bastards”), Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (“Battle of the Bastards”), Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) (“Battle of the Bastards”), Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or a Special (“The Door”), Outstanding Costumes for a Period/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Movie (“The Winds of Winter”), Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary or Fantasy Program (“Blood of My Blood”, “The Broken Man”, and “No One”), Outstanding Special Visual Effects (“Battle of the Bastards”), Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) (“Battle of the Bastards”), Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series (“Battle of the Bastards”), and Outstanding Drama Series with nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage and Kit Harington), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Maisie Williams), Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (“The Door”), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Max von Sydow), Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (“Home”), Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series (“The Door”), Outstanding Interactive Program, Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series (“Oathbreaker”), and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series (“The Door”).
Don’t let the exploding building hit you on the way out High Sparrow
Game of Thrones—Season 5 felt like build up. While Game of Thrones—Season 6 still feels like it is building, it feels like more of a payoff. The season is loaded with drama, action, and big (aka shocking) events that helped make Game of Thrones big.
The season is strong. There are a lot of good storylines and it is nice to have the Bran character back after missing season 5. In fact, the season feels like the rise of the Starks with Sansa rejoining the revived Jon Snow and Arya back from training. In addition to the Starks rejoining, it feels like Daenerys is rallying people behind her (though I wish there was more Tyrion), and it feels like it is becoming everyone versus Cersei. On the Cersei front, I am glad that the season resolves the whole Sparrow storyline which I felt was a bit of a drag.
The cast is still phenomenal. The only thing hurting the cast is that there are so many good actors in the cast. It feels like each actor is rallying for their own solo episodes, but it is generally only the script that holds back the actors. I feel that Peter Dinklage gets a bit sidelined in this season as Daenerys’ negotiator, but it makes sense in the story. Arya is always a scene-stealer in her segments, and I look forward to seeing the fully unleashed Arya. As much as I like the character, I feel that John Bradley’s Samwell feels a bit shoehorned into the plot because his storyline does not really come to fruition in this season. Jonathan Pryce’s Sparrow character is annoying, but I can’t fault him as an actor because he makes a great villain like so many of the actors in this show like Iwan Rheon and Lena Headey.
Good Doggie?
Visually, the show continues to soar. It looks great and the designs on the dragons continue to improve. The locations on the show provide a ton of variety for the look and style of the show. It has mountains, forests, oceans, and all different styles of cities to go in them. Game of Thrones looks more like a movie than a TV series.
Game of Thrones—Season 6 continues to soar. It is a series that has a planned ending and that always helps in developing a show like Game of Thrones. It feels like it is building to something and now as the series nears its last two seasons, all the pieces are starting to come together. Game of Thrones has a lot going on in it and watching multiple times is worthwhile…but I might have to wait till the end to do it.
Game of Thrones—Season 6 Complete Episode Guide:
“The Red Woman”
6.1 The Red Woman Airdate: 04/24/16
Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) learns from his father Roose (Michael McElhatton) that his rule at Winterfell could be threatened if he doesn’t produce an heir or capture Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). Sansa and Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) flee Ramsay’s men but find aid in Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) and Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman). Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Varys (Conleth Hill) see that the rule of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) is crumbling in her absence and discover that plans for a return to Westeros have suffered a major setback. The Sand Sisters Ellaria (Indira Varma) and Tyene (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers) continue their slaughter and vow to rule Dorne with power…but the Sand Sisters Obara (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and Nymeria (Jessie Henwick) have their own plans in King’s Landing. Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) returns to King’s Landing with the body of Myrcella and Cersei (Lena Headey) reveals to Jaime that all was prophesized to her. The High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) continues to hold Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) as a captive and Margaery learns that confessing her sins might be the only way she can find news about her brother Loras (Finn Jones). Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman) and Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) track Daenerys and her dragons and discover Daenerys has been captured by Khal Moro (Joseph Naufahu) and a Dothraki raiders. Arya (Maisie Williams) deals with her blindness and finds the Waif (Faye Marsay) is willing to teach her. At the wall, the murder of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) has created a rift in the Night’s Watch with Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) assuming control with Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham) trying to stop him…and the Red Witch Melisandre (Carice van Houten) shows her true form.
“Home”
6.2 Home Airdate: 05/01/16
Roose Bolton learns Ramsay’s men have failed to bring back Sansa and Theon, but the birth of a son means Ramsay’s time as leader might be ending…but Ramsay has other plans. Brienne and Sansa plot their next move, but Theon realizes that his role in the fall of Winterfell cannot be forgiven. Tyrion realizes that the captive dragons will fail and makes a bold move. Cersei learns that she cannot attend the funeral for Myrcella by order of her son King Tommen Baratheon (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Jaime has a meeting with the High Sparrow. Arya trains with the Waif and learns from Jaqen H’ghar (Tom Wiaschiha) might still have plans for her. Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) has a visit from his brother Aeron (Michael Feast) leading Yara (Gemma Whelan) on a path of vengeance. Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) trains with the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow) and learns from watching the past while Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick) is warned by Leaf (Kae Alexander) that Bran will need her in the future. With the uprising led by Alliser Thorne still fresh, Davos asks Melisandre for the impossible with Jon Snow…and Melisandre might achieve it.
“Oathbreaker”
6.3 Oathbreaker Airdate: 05/08/16
Jon Snow is alive again thanks to Melisandre and having to deal with the people who caused his death. Bran is taken on a vision quest by the Three-Eyed Raven and learns that the past of his father (Robert Aramayo) might not be as straight forward as he believed. Jaime and Cersei jockey for power in King’s Landing as Tommen goes head-to-head with the High Sparrow over the treatment of his mother. Varys and Tyrion try to determine who is running the Sons of the Harpy in Meereen. Daenerys finds herself a prisoner in Vaes Dothrak and learns that she might be able to leave. Arya Stark trains and seeks to regain her purpose and vision. Ramsay Bolton is presented a new gift in the form of Rickon Stark (Art Parkinson).
“Book on the Strange”
6.4 Book on the Stranger Airdate: 05/15/16
Sansa Stark is reunited with her brother Jon at the Wall but their celebration is short lived when they learn of Ramsay’s capture of Rickon. Littlefinger arrives at the Vale and encourages Robin Arryn (Lino Facioli) to fight for his cousin Sansa. Margaery finds the High Sparrow trying to manipulate her through Loras while Cersei tries to manipulate war against the High Sparrow. Tyrion with an envoy including Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) and Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuelra) heads to Astapor, Yunkai, and Volantis to try to cut the funding to the Sons of the Harpy through negotiations. Theon returns home and encourages his sister Yara to take control. Jorah and Daario seek to free Daenerys, but Daenerys realizes a rescue isn’t possible.
“The Door”
6.5 The Door Airdate: 05/22/16
Sansa has a confrontation with Baelish and tries to help Jon rally the troops by sending Brienne to recruit the Blackfish. Jorah reveals his condition to Daenerys who has a new order for him. Arya gets her first assignment to assassinate an actor but Arya questions the reasons. Yara and Theon make their attempt to take the throne but the return of their uncle Euron (Pilou Asbæk) quashes their plans and puts them on the run. Bran sees the origin of the Night King through his visions, but Bran’s curiosity could bring doom and a major loss.
“Blood of My Blood”
6.6 Blood of My Blood Airdate: 05/29/16
Bran and Meera Reed flee the White Walkers after the death of Hodor (Kristian Nairn) and find an unexpected savior (Joseph Mawle). Samwell Tarly (John Bradley), Gilly (Hannah Murray), and their son arrive at Sam’s home, but Sam’s father (James Faulkner) has objections to Sam’s new life. The High Sparrow prepares to walk Queen Margaery, but Cersei and Jaime have recruited Lady Olenna (Diana Rigg) and Margaery’s father (Roger Ashton-Griffiths) to stop it…but the High Sparrow has other plans. Arya infiltrates the actors to complete her assassination but has a different solution to the assignment. Lord Walder Frey (David Bradley) learns Riverrun has fallen to the Blackfish and orders a special prisoner (Tobias Menzies) to be used to retake Riverrun. Daenerys rallies the Khals and prepares for war.
“The Broken Man”
6.7 The Broken Man Airdate: 06/05/16
Sandor “The Hound” Clegane (Rory McCann) has survived and is living with a former warrior named Brother Ray (Ian McShane) who is trying to live a peaceful life with a group of villagers. Arya prepares to return home to Westeros but learns betraying the House of Black and White could be deadly. Theon and Yara prepare to meet with Daenerys and seek to win her aid against Euron. Lady Olenna tries to free Margaery from the Sparrow, but learns Margaery might have her own ideas. Jaime meets with the Blackfish and learns that Blackfish has no intention of surrendering. Jon, Sansa, and Davos try to rally allies, but Jon worries that the opportunity to retake Winterfell is running out.
“No One”
6.8 No One Airdate: 06/12/16
The Hound seeks revenge on the men who killed his friends and meets someone who encourages him to fight for honor. Brienne and Podrick go to Riverrun to persuade the Blackfish to join the fight to retake Winterfell leading to a reunion with Jaime. Cersei finds herself becoming more trapped in King’s Landing by the Sparrow’s actions and gets bad news about her trial. Tyrion’s plans to keep war from Meereen fall through, but he finds a lucky windfall. Arya finds herself fighting to stay alive when the Waif comes to silence her once and for all.
“The Battle of the Bastards”
6.9 Battle of the Bastards Airdate: 06/19/16
Daenerys faces Meereen under siege and offer the attackers her own form of surrender. Yara and Theon reach Meereen and hope to woo Daenerys to their cause. Jon Snow faces off against Ramsay Bolton for control of Winterfell, but Ramsay has his own plans for the battle…but a surprise could come for both Jon and Ramsay.
“The Winds of Winter”
6.10 The Winds of Winter Airdate: 06/26/16
Samwell and Gilly arrive in Oldtown where Sam gains access to the library of the Citadel. Jon has reclaimed Winterfell but now must try to keep his allies close as winter arrives. Davos learns the truth of Melisandre’s involvement in Shireen’s death and forces a decision about her future in the North. Varys travels to Dorne and seeks council with Olenna Tyrell and the Sand Snakes about an alliance. Walder Frey celebrates his victory at Riverrun but finds an old enemy has returned for revenge. Bran Stark reaches the wall with Meera and Benjen Stark only to discover the truth about his vision of Eddard Stark. Daenerys is forced to make hard decisions about her own future as she prepares to head to Westeros for war. Cersei prepares for her trial by the High Sparrow, but she has a plan…and actions have consequences.
Related Links:
Game of Thrones—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 4 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 5 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 7 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Game of Thrones—Season 8 Review and Complete Episode Guide
