HBO's Game of Thrones season 6 discussion thread- airing 4/24/16 (No book spoilers)

[Sonikku]

I like that Arya turned away from being a faceless murdering sociopath and instead took back her identity. Perhaps what she got from the Cersei actress and her losing her son in the play is that inflicting death always inflicts grief on others and to do what she has been trained for would only create more of the same tragedy that she herself has had to endure. Could be reaching though.

 

[Merad]

I think the point of the Sam scenes was so he could get that sword. And it was kinda interesting to see Sam's family dynamic.

If Sam's doing what I think he's doing, he's brilliant. And it will be hugely important.

See, Poppa Tarly is known as one of the best military strategists in Westeros. Respected by almost everyone for his skill. He's also a hardcore career military type. No way he's going to let his soft fatso coward of a son walk off with the irreplaceable family sword. He'll pursue Sam to the ends of the earth... or maybe even all the way back to the wall. If Sam can get him there, and show him or somehow convince him that all those fairy tales about wights and white walkers are actually true, well, people south of Winterfell might actually listen when Randyll Tarly starts talking about them.

 

[TheAdvocate]

It was another setup episode.

Arya will face off against the waif, which she is somehow gonna win. Then she will have to face Jaqen. There is no way Jaqen will let Faceless trained loose in the world outside the House of Black & Whites control. There is some twist here I don't yet see.

Dany's scene wasn't fluff. The show probably undersold it, and the timing is crap, but the issue remains from back when Drogo was still around is that the Dothraki won't get on ships and are terrified of the ocean. Dany had to show strength to get them to agree to do something theyve never done before.

I am buying that stealing Heartsbane is a way to get another Valerian sword to the Wall, and hopefully Randall Tarly too.

Benjen /Coldhands is long overdue. They key there is how he was created. That is going to be important to the coming war.

Tommen switching sides makes Kings Landing a clusterf--k. They are going to feud until Dany and/or Dorne destroy them. The throne is the weakest it's ever been. I don't buy the High Sparrow either. He has an ulterior motive to his manipulation. Not sure what yet though. There are those that contend he is Howland Reed though. I disagree. He is too old, IMO.

Autocorrect murdered my post. Too annoyed to fix it. You get the jist.

 

[JEDI]

list of valerian steel and owners:
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Valyrian_steel


"Benjen /Coldhands is long overdue. They key there is how he was created. That is going to be important to the coming war."

explain?

 

[Merad]

Benjen /Coldhands is long overdue. They key there is how he was created. That is going to be important to the coming war.

I'm not so sure that show!Benjen is Coldhands. I mean, he's probably taking on some of the same role, but IIRC book!Coldhands was pretty obviously a wight (dead), and from what we've seen of Benjen so far he is not.

 

[LegendKiller]

I'm not so sure that show!Benjen is Coldhands. I mean, he's probably taking on some of the same role, but IIRC book!Coldhands was pretty obviously a wight (dead), and from what we've seen of Benjen so far he is not.

You didn't know he was dead. You knew he was something other than just a walker or other. Else he would be under their control.

 

[LegendKiller]

It was another setup episode.

Arya will face off against the waif, which she is somehow gonna win. Then she will have to face Jaqen. There is no way Jaqen will let Faceless trained loose in the world outside the House of Black & Whites control. There is some twist here I don't yet see.

Dany's scene wasn't fluff. The show probably undersold it, and the timing is crap, but the issue remains from back when Drogo was still around is that the Dothraki won't get on ships and are terrified of the ocean. Dany had to show strength to get them to agree to do something theyve never done before.

I am buying that stealing Heartsbane is a way to get another Valerian sword to the Wall, and hopefully Randall Tarly too.

Benjen /Coldhands is long overdue. They key there is how he was created. That is going to be important to the coming war.

Tommen switching sides makes Kings Landing a clusterf--k. They are going to feud until Dany and/or Dorne destroy them. The throne is the weakest it's ever been. I don't buy the High Sparrow either. He has an ulterior motive to his manipulation. Not sure what yet though. There are those that contend he is Howland Reed though. I disagree. He is too old, IMO.

Autocorrect murdered my post. Too annoyed to fix it. You get the jist.

I've never seen the argument he is Howland reed. Interesting but doubtful.

Foremost is Howland is a northerner, I believe he is an old gods guy, so going down there pretending to be a 7 priest doesn't fit.

Also, as far as he knows, he has lost both his heirs, the north is in turmoil, he is needed by Ned's heirs, and the North is likely going to need him. I highly doubt he'd leave his lands at this point to go play the game of thrones down south.

 

[Merad]

You didn't know he was dead. You knew he was something other than just a walker or other. Else he would be under their control.

Coldhands is very clearly described as having the appearance of a wight in every way except for his eyes.

Edit: Also, LOL

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Pretty much that. The Hound is also a more experienced fighter. He lost because he was sick and even then it was rather close for most of the fight. Imagine if he was in full health.


_________________

Exactly. Brienne had to win that fight though. She has been too important to other stories to kill off. The Hound otoh is better off dead, if he actually is. Price on his head. Very doubtful any of the enemies of the Lannisters would trust or accept him. And no matter where he went, it would be hard to disguise himself given his stature and burned face. He had little to look forward to. Maybe he ended up with the Brotherhood without Banners? That would be something I'd applaud.

I am surprised no one is picking up on Margaery's game. Look at her face at the end of her visit with her bro in the cell. He says something like {paraphrasing here} - "then let them win." She formed a plan right then and there. Her family's forces are in the city now. Jamie is being forced to leave. Cersie has a big moment coming. Marg may be able to get Cersie out of her hair finally. Then the King will end up dead, one way or another. She just needs to avoid getting killed along with him. I have little doubt she will also out play the high sparrow.

Good point someone made about Sam's dad. He is the only one to hand Robert a defeat in battle. He would be a great adviser. He is likely going to acquire pride and respect for Sam before all is said and done.

I do not think Arya will have to war with the faceless men. She kills the other girl, and I think we will see it was anticipated and hoped for. Do not forget that a man and a girl began their relationship with her showing compassion and saving his life in a situation where she could have let him fry. She passed the first test then I think. And her compassion and good hearted nature are not something I think the man wants to change in her. While the other girl is cold, cruel, and thrives on it.

 

[thejunglegod]

I do not understand why most people found the Sam scenes so boring and irrelevant. It has a lot of meaning w.r.t the Valyrian steel sword and getting the Tarly army close to the Wall. And I absolutely loved the guy playing Randall Tarly. I don't think the show has had any threatening personalities/men with a killer baritone after Tywin Lannister's death. Well, Roose Bolton too I guess, but he's dead as well.

 

[Rhezuss]

Yeah, Jaqen could have set up this all from the beginning and now the other girl will face Arya and die in the process, chich Jaqen wants I guess?

Tommen...dammit didn't saw that coming and it was weird. Poor boy...one day he goes to Cercei begging help to become stronger and the next day he is rallying with the High Sparrow...he's weak and should be removed.

Can't wait to see The Mountain in action.

My only hope is that they show more Greyjoy story. We saw them in what, 3-4 episodes in 6 seasons? I like their lore and spirit, really hope theybecome more present.

 

[Charmonium]

I am surprised no one is picking up on Margaery's game. Look at her face at the end of her visit with her bro in the cell. He says something like {paraphrasing here} - "then let them win." She formed a plan right then and there. Her family's forces are in the city now. Jamie is being forced to leave. Cersie has a big moment coming. Marg may be able to get Cersie out of her hair finally. Then the King will end up dead, one way or another. She just needs to avoid getting killed along with him. I have little doubt she will also out play the high sparrow.

Interesting theory and I agree. The way this is going to play out is that you're going to have all women doing battle against each other for the throne. Catelyn comes back as Lady Stoneheart to lead the forces of the Vale - either her or Sansa though Sansa seems more likely. Brienne will be her commander. Danny obviously and the Dothraki. Margery leading the Martells and Cersei the Lannisters. And the evil they'll fight against will be the male lead WWs.

 

[Jeeebus]

I will give the Game of Thrones writers (or GRRM) credit... somehow, some way, they have managed to make me hate Tommen more than I hated Joffrey and also now have me rallying behind Cersei (at least temporarily) against the Sparrows.

 

[SAWYER]

This guy riding in the last minute to save the day was dumb as hell

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I will give the Game of Thrones writers (or GRRM) credit... somehow, some way, they have managed to make me hate Tommen more than I hated Joffrey and also now have me rallying behind Cersei (at least temporarily) against the Sparrows.

For you, his being young and impressionable, and trying to follow grand dad's advice, is worse than torturing and killing people? Being in insufferably arrogant and sadistic dick engenders less ire than being naive and overwhelmed by the enormity of a position you never expected to occupy? Weird.

I feel some sympathy for Tommen. He is just a child being manipulated. But Marg has the best hold, because it is by the penis.

 

[TheAdvocate]

list of valerian steel and owners:
http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Valyrian_steel


"Benjen /Coldhands is long overdue. They key there is how he was created. That is going to be important to the coming war."

explain?

Part of it my comment was about finally removing Benjen from the boat with Gendry. I figured that after they used Benjen as bait last season, it would be a good time to reintroduce him since most viewers had forgotten him after being off screen for years (literally). However there's more:

A lot of debate about whether Benjen is or isn't Coldhands. I don't think it matters. He seems to be filling that role in the show, to what end we aren't sure, but he is potentially a big deal. It isn't like the good guys were ever gonna capture a White Walker alive. Benjen isn't one, but he is nearly the same thing. Intel. Westeros is about to suffer an "alien" invasion - they need to fully understand their enemy.

Also, it is past time for the handful of people who know about the White Walkers to convene a strategy session with the powers that be. Think about it - the only people that actually know are Bran, Jon, Benjen, Edd, Meera and some Wildlings. That is ridiculous. They are about to be invaded and there hasn't been a marshaling of forces and sharing of intel. Benjen can probably offer some key info.

Finally, he may not be a normal man anymore, but he is still a Stark. And I think its possible he will have some counsel for Jon & Sansa. He may not care as much as he once did (conjecture), or maybe he still does. We'll see.


Some other follow ups:


Also, Sam stealing Heartsbane is a big deal. I had to think for a while about why he did it. From the show's perspective, it potentially gets another of the oh so rare Valyrian steel swords to the Wall, and perhaps it brings Randall Tarly to the Wall too (an excellent commander and ridiculously good soldier). That may be Sam's motivation too. I'm not sure. If he is really heading to Oldtown though, that seems less likely. On a side note, I really wanna see Oldtown. Even GRRM hasn't done much with it. The entire Reach has been barely touched. Anyone else wanna see Highgarden? (if you thought Horn Hall - the Tarly castle - was beautiful, Highgarden is even more ridiculous, almost Disney esque).

Highgarden:

Oldtown:

I don't know what Tommen switching allegiances to the church is going to do. I still think Dany and/or Dorne is gonna sack Kings Landing while all these idiots are squabbling. I think Ellaria Sand is currently marching or sailing the entire Dornish army right up to their doorstep so she can take stick her foot up the ass of every Lannister left. And if Mace Tyrell is Kings Landing's military leader (since Jaime is being run off) - that is going to end badly. The High Sparrow can try his BS against Ellaria Sand - she'll just stab him in the face and smirk as he bleeds out.

 

[Anubis]

na id imagine that Tywins brother takes over command not Mace

he at least seems mostly competent

 

[TheAdvocate]

Kevan Lannister is Hand of the King. He may. But I don't know if the Tyrells trust any of the Lannisters right now.

He has a slightly different storyline in the books. I don't know if they are going to bother with it. Seems like a possible edit out.

 

[Sonikku]

Man it's looking bad for King's Landing. Those poison sisters are looking to start a war with them at the same time Dany has an army of foot soldiers/Calvary/aerial offense with her sights set on the same target and the new king of iron isles poised to ferry her troops over with the same intent. Tywin is dead, Tyrion is no longer there smoothing things over and Cersei is so short sighted and vindictive she's lost control for the sake of taking the queen down a notch. Sparrow is holding half the cards now which dilutes the throne, the kingdom is deep in debt etc. The whole place is going to hell in a hand basket.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I just want to reiterate my point about how F'd up Westeros (and Essos for that matter) is as a whole. The Horn Hall scene where they laughed at Sam's White Walker story. Randall Tarly is a no BS kind of guy. Why the impending doom hasn't successfully been brought to the attention of sober, responsible people (Tarly is a jerk, but he is a capable leader, as is Kevan Lannister at Kings Landing) is the story here. All the petty squabbling and power grabs are going to doom humanity.

On another note, the WW's have exhibited a notable lack of anti-air capability. I really hope the apparent deus ex machina angle doesn't come in to play, because that would be a really lame ending and it would let all of these idiot leaders off the hook for their selfishness and stupidity.

Also, spoiler tags, bruh!! -

Littlefinger is a time traveler!

 

[Anubis]

they seem to be able to summon a large blizzard at will. that's kinda anti air

and the impending doom as you mention isn't all that different then our own history of ignoring things until they punch us in the face

 

[GagHalfrunt]

If Sam's doing what I think he's doing, he's brilliant. And it will be hugely important.

See, Poppa Tarly is known as one of the best military strategists in Westeros. Respected by almost everyone for his skill. He's also a hardcore career military type. No way he's going to let his soft fatso coward of a son walk off with the irreplaceable family sword. He'll pursue Sam to the ends of the earth... or maybe even all the way back to the wall. If Sam can get him there, and show him or somehow convince him that all those fairy tales about wights and white walkers are actually true, well, people south of Winterfell might actually listen when Randyll Tarly starts talking about them.

The problem there is that Sam isn't going to the Wall. He's heading south away from the Wall to the Citadel where he's intending to train as the new maester.

I think Sam just threw a hissy fit and wanted to steal the sword.

 

[zinfamous]

The problem there is that Sam isn't going to the Wall. He's heading south away from the Wall to the Citadel where he's intending to train as the new maester.

I think Sam just threw a hissy fit and wanted to steal the sword.

That's my take on it.


I like the proposed idea that Margery is simply playing the Sparrows against the Lannisters in a ploy to have them destroy each other. She certainly doesn't like dickless Tommen, but knows his weakness. (I don't imagine she hates him--she seems to understand he's a nice kid but, well, still a stupid kid--but has no compunction playing him in this game).

You can tell she isn't into this cultishness, her conversation with Loris and when Tommen came to speak with her. The non-plussed glance she gave over his shoulder. A bit too obvious.

I don't think Mrs James Bond is on on this, though. She legitimately seemed as surprised about this turn of events as everyone else. Besides, she has been denied access to Margery all this time and it's not like there was time to plan any of this before Margery was captured. Her arrest was shocking, unless some truly improbable planning went on between the two prior to that trial, their having expected her to be arrested as well. I mean....come on.

 

[Rhezuss]

I didn't read the books and I don't recall this detail but why are the Sparrows in King's Landing in the first place? What triggered their presence and actions?

 

[zinfamous]

I didn't read the books and I don't recall this detail but why are the Sparrows in King's Landing in the first place? What triggered their presence and actions?

Something about that Lannister cousin (Cersei fucked him, right? back in season 1 or 2?) getting all culty and bringing his buddies back to purge the city of evil.

After Geoffry tapped out and Cersei's power began to fall to Margery, Cersei thought getting back in with him and the new High Sparrow dude would help her to eliminate her enemies--the pansy flower people. She still had influence over the King's Guard to some degree and while I forget the details, she was able to give the High Sparrow free reign to begin punishing his version of evil without fear of prosecution from the crown.

Just another one of her miscalculations (she just assumed he was a devious power-hungry little bastard like herself. She didn't realize he was a true-believing fanatic)