Game of Thrones Season 6 Ep 9

[shapinglight]

Just watched this and...

Spoilers



...I do hope this is the only time in my life I'm actually glad to see someone eaten by his own dogs.

Yay! The boring Boltons have been shuffled off the scene at last.

Of course, this being GoT, you then find yourself asking at what cost? Poor Rickon was killed (which, given that we hardly knew the character, was probably the least worst Stark-related trauma the show could inflict on us), lots of Wildlings died, including the giant, and it's obvious that Sansa's catalogue of horrible experiences have brutalised her to a great extent. Does this in some sense mean that Ramsey wins? I'm not sure. I'm just glad we can all forget about him now.

We can't, unfortunately, forget about Littlefinger, who is going to want some kind of reward for coming in and saving the Starks at the last minute. If he tells Sansa he wants her (which seems most likely), all I can say is, why didn't he keep her when he had her the first time?

As for Jon, he seems to have got through everything and stayed a nice bloke. Not a very bright bloke, given that he fell headfirst into Ramsey's trap, as Sansa said he would, but a nice bloke.

Other than that, in the ice part of the story, there's nothing much to say except battle. Big, big, battle. I did watch a lot of it with my hands partly over my eyes (as so often in GoT). I suspect it was actually quite realistic. And if the book series is (very loosely) based on the Wars of the Roses, then this battle was the Battle of Towton (for a description of which, I highly recommend Toby Clements' novel Kingmaker: Winter Pilgrims. In fact, I just recommend it anyway).

The fire parts of the episode were somewhat less ambiguous, (once Tyrion had talked Dany out of wholesale genocide, that is - and it's worrying that he had to). The dragon CGI was great and I loved the Dany/Yara scene. I could 'ship those two, I think. If Yara and Theon's Uncle Urine does show up, I hope Dany gives him exactly the welcome he deserves. 'Course her Take the Seven Kingdoms project is still fraught with problems (physical and moral), but her scenes in the episode were quite satisfying this time.

So, last episode next week. Probably, most of it will be to do with Cersei's and Loras's trials (and note that Tyrion mentioned the wildfire again in this episode, just in case we'd forgotten about it) but I wonder what Ser Davos will do with his new-found knowledge of what happened to poor little Shireen? I wonder if we'll see any more of Sam and Gilly? Most of all, I wonder if we'll find out what's going on with Bran, Uncle Benjen and the White Walkers?

Just going to end with another no more boring Boltons yay! because you can't say it enough.

Yay!

Comments

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Yay dead Boltons!

Not a very bright bloke

Well, y'know, even the Lord of Light can only pull so many miracles.

I suspect it was actually quite realistic.

That's what I thought too. Movies don't often show just what the aftermath of close-quarter combat with very sharp bladed weapons looks like. Yuck.

I wonder if we'll see any more of Sam and Gilly? Most of all, I wonder if we'll find out what's going on with Bran, Uncle Benjen and the White Walkers?

Between all the things they need to wrap up, I wouldn't be surprised if Sam and Gilly have to wait until season 7 to show up. Then again, on some level I hop they'll just settle down in a small cottage somewhere and not get mixed up in the carnage.

[shapinglight]

Then again, on some level I hop they'll just settle down in a small cottage somewhere and not get mixed up in the carnage.

Actually, me too. They really deserve it. But Sam nicking his dad's sword has to be important somehow, I feel, even if we don't find out why until next season.

Well, y'know, even the Lord of Light can only pull so many miracles.

Heh! I suspect he's going to need to pull one for Melisandre next episode. Ser Davos isn't going to let this go. Maybe he'll set fire to her and see how she likes it?

Mind you, unlike Ramsey, I'll actually miss her a bit. She was a lot more interesting than any of the Boltons.

And there's me talking as if it's done and dusted when it's no such thing. ;)

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

I suspect he's going to need to pull one for Melisandre next episode. Ser Davos isn't going to let this go.

As well he shouldn't. Then again, revenge plots rarely work out as people want them to...

[kikimay]

Jon got lucky that Littlefinger came to help or he would be dead (Again) Yes, he didn't have the numbers in the first place, but facing a larger enemy like that? Dude, c'mon, think.

It was a very terrifying battle sequence, beautifully shot. Ramsay's strategy was like the one that allowed Alexander The Great to defeat the Persians, but Alexander was outnumbered like Jon and pulled that off! Well, Lord Snow isn't the greatest military strategist of his time XD He got lucky, but now I think that Littlefinger will propose a marriage to his sister and what can Jon do?

LOL UNCLE URINE!

In Dany's defense I must say: Tyrion totally has a point, but the Masters showed up ready to destroy Mereen and kill Dany and her army. They tried negotiations, Tyrion tried, but it didn't work. What a queen should do at that point? It's kinda unfair to compare an act of war (Which is brutal, I agree, but it's defense) to the Mad King burning people just because he was crazy. Not the same thing at all. But yes, glad that Dany has someone who let her think before she burns everything to the ground.

[shapinglight]

Then again, revenge plots rarely work out as people want them to...

Not in this show.

[shapinglight]

Dude, c'mon, think.

Well, Ygritte did say he knew nothing. ;)

As for Sansa marrying Littlefinger, I agree Jon won't interfere if Sansa agrees to do it, but if she doesn't, I'm pretty sure he'll back her to the hilt. Bright he may not be, but loyal, definitely.

Not the same thing at all.

I suspect the ordinary people who would've ended up dead in either case would have had a hard time seeing the difference. But yes, the important thing is that Dany listened to reason. Tyrion pointed out that there was a better way and she agreed. No way the mad king would have listened to anyone.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

I watched most of it with my eyes shut... But yes, I think it was a very realistic battle. Everything I have read about Medieval warfare is that it was just that brutal and confusing.

I think Littlefinger wasn't quite as knowledgable about Ramsay's perversions as he thought and that he had planned to save Sansa and thus making her accept him in gratitude AND get Winterfell all in one swoop.

I'm very glad Ramsay is dead, though.

I found the scenes with Dany quite satisfying and I don't think she felt averse for some one to one with Yara. Eitehr way they seemed to get along very well. And everything is better with dragons.

I think we will have wildfire and the end of the tiresome Sparrow and Tommen in the next epsiode.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

Yay, no more boring boltons.

I loved Sansa's smile in the end. I have gif of it and I will have to make an icon.

Also loved Dany and Yara getting together.

I wonder about the final episode, I guess it will be mostly Cersei doing what Aerys Targaryen could not. I wonder what Jaime will say to that.

[shapinglight]

Everything I have read about Medieval warfare is that it was just that brutal and confusing.

Yes, how anyone ever worked out that the tide of battle had turned against them and who had eventually won, I have no idea. Maybe it just came down to which side's leader got killed first?

You're possibly right about Littlefinger. But if he didn't know about Ramsey's perversions, he damn well should have done. Him and Varys had set themselves up as the men who knew everything. Either way, Littlefinger is only slightly less hateful than Ramsey.

I'm very glad Ramsay is dead, though.

Yay! And triple yay!

I hope Tommen doesn't get killed by wildfire. He seems like basically a nice kid, and I want him and Margaery to survive. On the other hand, I really want the High Sparrow to get his comeuppance. And the Freys. It's about time people finally reaped what they sowed.

[shapinglight]

Yay, no more boring boltons.

Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah! We should have an online GoT street party to celebrate.

I loved Sansa's smile in the end. I have gif of it and I will have to make an icon.

Ooh, ooh! Can I snag it? There's been a woeful lack of GoT icons for this season. I've had to make my own, and they're pretty crap, unfortunately.

I wonder what Jaime will say to that.

Yes, good point. He loves Cersei, he said. Will he let her get away with doing what he killed the mad king to prevent?

[chasingdemons.livejournal.com]

I really liked the scene between Dany and Yara too. Very much. Also thought the battle was intense and thrilling and beautifully shot. Come on, Deb. Keep your eyes open. ;)

[shapinglight]

Also thought the battle was intense and thrilling and beautifully shot. Come on, Deb. Keep your eyes open. ;)

I can't. I just can't cope with the violence. :(

It was thrilling, though. And very realistic, I think. Ramsey was a great tactician, whereas poor old Jon...very much wasn't. Chilling, too, how quick Sansa was to dismiss Rickon. She knew Ramsey would kill him, which made him pretty much dead to her already.

Wouldn't surprise me if she ends up as lady of Winterfell in her own right.

Speaking of ladies, I wonder what happened to little Lady Mormont? I hope she survived the battle.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Will he let her get away with doing what he killed the mad king to prevent?

You know, I was just wondering why they've brought up his killing of the Mad King so many times this season... Almost as if foreshadowing something...

[shapinglight]

I think so. Definitely.

Jaime may have to kill Cersei. Or it may be that he'll be presented with the exact same situation as he had with the mad king and not kill her. But then they'll both die anyway.

Scorched earth option.

I'd be fine with that really, except that I want Margaery and Loras to get away.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

But if he didn't know about Ramsey's perversions, he damn well should have done. Him and Varys had set themselves up as the men who knew everything. Either way, Littlefinger is only slightly less hateful than Ramsey.

I think he knew, but not to the full extent. Also, he had planned to stick around and then Cercei called him back to King's Landing, so it's possible that he had planned to stage his rescue much sooner. But I agree, Littlefinger is only slightly less hateful. I actually think he is the scariest person in the show as he is so utterly ruthless.

I like Tommen too- tiresome was meant for the High Sparrow. But there is the prohesy so I think Tommen will have to die. Also, that would make Jamie a loose canon. He is of course loyal to his son/nephew, but with Tommen dead, who knows what Jamie will do with his nice little army.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Poor Rickon stood no chance.

Jon was a total tactical bust... But I like that he still has a heart. At least Rickon died knowing he wasn't anbandoned no matter how it seemed. His brother TRIED.

I need more info on what Sansa knew when. But she deserved to feed Ramsey to the dogs. He deserved it. Hope Theon hears about it and makes a silent toast.

Theon totally needs to spend some time with Gray Worm. It would be therapeutic.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

My prediction is that by the time Damy gets there, Cersei will have burned the place down.

[chasingdemons.livejournal.com]

I do hope we will see more of Lady Mormont. She's far too interesting a character to just have one scene. Sansa has had a great deal of character development, whereas it seems Jon is much the same as when we first met him. Perhaps not such a bad thing, but clearly he has a lot more heart and courage than tactical smarts.

[shapinglight]

I actually think he is the scariest person in the show as he is so utterly ruthless.

I'd second that view. What's more, he shares another trait with Ramsey, in that he actually seems to revel in chaos and cruelty. Yuck!

As for Jaime, if Cersei and Tommen die, then I have no idea where he'll choose to give his loyalties? Dany won't have him, given that he murdered her father, and I don't see the Starks having him either. Also, it's possible he may feel called on to enact Cersei's desire for revenge and try to kill both Tyrion and Sansa for their supposed collaboration in Joffrey's death. Even though I'm pretty sure he knows deep down they had nothing to do with it.

[shapinglight]

but clearly he has a lot more heart and courage than tactical smarts.

Yes, you end up thinking he's just too nice to live. In fact, of all the Stark children, he's the most like Ned, even though Ned may not actually be his father.

[shapinglight]

Theon totally needs to spend some time with Gray Worm. It would be therapeutic.

Yes, I can see that working. I hope they get a scene together in the final episode. And poor Rickon. It's horribly tragic. I wish he had tried running in zig-zags or something. I'm sure I read somewhere that's what you're supposed to do if someone's shooting at you. But yes, at least he could see Jon riding to his rescue. :(

[shapinglight]

Yep. I think so too. Maybe Dany's vision in season 2 of the throne room in Kingslanding all burned down and roofless and with snow sifting down onto the iron throne was actually prophetic?

[lizziebuffy2008.livejournal.com]

Ding dong; he's DEAD!!!! I have never cheered so loud for a character getting killed before, but I am so happy he is finally gone...

Kind of worried for Sansa; that she has experienced too much and cannot come back from it. Also, I so hope she is not pregnant. I also think what Littlefinger wants is not so transparent, but I guess we will see.

I have a feeling we will not see Arya, The Hound, Sam or Gilly until next season.

I loved the Dany stuff; I like that Tyrion is her "calming, voice of reason." I cannot see how any one else could rule at this point but her. I was thinking during the BofB that Jon needed some dragons...;-) So, will she head to the Iron Islands first? That would set her up to be in the right place for the battle with the White Walkers...I could also see her marching on a burned to the ground Kings Landing...

I think Tomman is dead next episode, not sure exactly how, but feeling like he is done, which then sets up Cersei dying. I am hoping the High Sparrow bites it to end this boring part of the tale. I do not have much hope for Lorus, but maybe Margeory.

[shapinglight]

Ding dong; he's DEAD!!!! I have never cheered so loud for a character getting killed before, but I am so happy he is finally gone...

Oh boy, me too! Horrible one-note character with nothing to recommend him. I like my villains more layered.

Littlfinger is more layered, I guess, but not by much. I really don't know how Sansa will choose to deal with him. It may not be how we expect. She's so much harder and colder than she used to be. She'd mentally abandoned Rickon to his fate the minute she heard Ramsey had him (which is not unrealistic of her, but still on the cold side). I don't really blame her, given what she's been through, but it's still hard to see it.

You may be right about Arya and the others, though I think we might possibly get a glimpse of Arya on a ship heading home, or something.

Agree about Dany. She's the only one left fit to rule, and the only one who could bind all the people of Westeros together. Again, though, that will be more because they're mortally afraid of her than anything, which is sad, but yes, she's the only one who could defeat the White Walkers.

Agree with everything you say about events in Kingslanding. The whole place is probably going to go boom in the next episode. I just hope Margaery survives.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Rickon:

Had a good run #shouldazigzagged

— Art Parkinson (@art_parkinson) 20 juni 2016

[shapinglight]

You know, I have distinct memories of saying to someone that Rickon should have run in zig-zags, but I can't seem to find where I wrote it now. Anyway, yes he should, or he should have headed straight for one of those burning cross things and used it to shield the rest of his run.

So it looks like Jon is not the only Stark boy (if he is one) to be a bit on the dim side. The girls have got all the brains. ;)

Actually, though I am sorry for Rickon, the thing I hate most about his story - and about this whole season - is the way a great character like Osha was wasted just to remind us (yet again) what a shit Ramsey Bolton is.

[sibilant.livejournal.com]

I think everyone's right in assuming Littlefinger will want Sansa as his reward for saving the day with the Boltons. But even if he gets her, she won't be the Sansa he's expecting. She's a formidable woman now, traumatised and warped by her experiences. He may find she is more than his match ..

(I know this is a very late contribution; my custom of only watching GoT on Friday nighs to mark the end of the working week means I'm always the last to know anything)

[shapinglight]

Ah, okay. I've just watched the finale so I won't say anything.

You're right about Sansa. She really isn't a little girl any more.