Game Of Thrones, Season 6 Episode 3 Review: Oathbreaker

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Only when watching Game Of Thrones would you find yourself cheering for the death of a child yet distraught at the death of wolf, but that's why we love it!

 Although this week's episode did feel noticeably less exciting than the previous two high paced episodes, it did provide a lot of important moments that will shape the rest of the season. Jon Snow has seemingly left the Night's Watch, Rickon Stark is in the hands of the Boltons, Tommen looks as if he is falling under the spell of the High Sparrow, Ayra is one step closer to becoming a Faceless Man and Bran is getting ever nearer to uncovering the truths of the past.

 There is the feeling that a few major characters are finally going to cross paths this season, with Sansa and Brienne approaching Jon Snow at Castle Black, and Rickon very nearby. Could this be the season that the Starks gain back some strength? If Arya has anything to do with it than I should think so. This episode was understated in areas and powerful in others, and episodes such as this are necessary to keep the story moving in the right direction.

 Next week's episode is titled 'Book of the Stranger' and the description doesn't give much away: Tyrion strikes a deal. Jorah and Daario undertake a difficult task. Jaime and Cersei try to improve their situation.

 It's anybody's guess what will happen next. One thing is for sure: I'll be there next Monday to find out!


Pros
  • The Tower Of Joy battle scene. I was so hyped to see this clip in the trailer for this episode last week and it did not disappoint! We got to see a young Ned Stark take on the legendary Sword of the Morning, Arthur Dayne in this tantalising flashback, and Bran learnt that even his honourable father sometimes played dirty, as he won the battle by his friend Howland Reed stabbing his opponent in the back. We just all want to see what is inside that tower, but I have a funny feeling that the show is going to make us wait a few more weeks for the big reveal that everyone wants to see.
  • Ding dong, Olly's dead! We've held a grudge against him since he first killed off Ygritte in Season 4 and then murdered Jon Snow last year, but we finally saw him get his comeuppance this week as he was hanged by Jon Snow alongside his fellow Night's Watch traitors. Lovely stuff.
  • It seems that 'shame' hasn't affected Cersei in the slightest as she remains to be as vindictive and calculating as ever, and I absolutely love it. This week we see her still trying to cling to power with Jaime and Zombie Mountain by her side, but being cast aside by the Small Council in an embarrassing scene (made amazing by the Pycelle fear fart). But if we know Cersei she won't let anything, even her own uncle, get in her way.
  • Tyrion trying to make small talk with Missandei and Grey Worm was hysterical and, what with Varys being added to the mix, I think we're in for a very comedic season in Meereen.

Cons
  • Shaggydog is no longer. After Osha, Rickon and the direwolf have been away from our screens for 3 whole seasons, the first glimpse we see of the great beast is of it's poor dead head slammed on a table. That's 3 out of the 6 original Stark direwolves dead. Stay safe Nymeria, Summer and Ghost! I do however have a sneaky suspicion (or blind hope) that Lord Umber and Rickon are working together in a plan to overthrow the Boltons and retake Winterfell for the Starks. Surely there's more than just the one black direwolf in the North... and wouldn't it be satisfying to see the real Shaggydog burst in and rip Ramsey's head off? OK, I'm now becoming more sadistic than him. If his capture isn't all part of a big ruse, then baby Stark had better start praying! #PrayForRickon
  • After last week's jaw dropping ending, I would have loved to see a bit more of Jon Snow in this episode. However his watch has now ended so I am expecting to see a bastard v bastard battle in the North very soon!
  • Daenerys and the Dosh Khaleen. I know that being back with the Dothraki is going to end up being a big part of the Mother of Dragons story arc and I am in no doubt that she will emerge stronger than ever. However I am starting to find the scenes with the Dothraki slightly tedious and find myself wishing that Drogon will reappear and fly her all the way over to Westeros so she can join the rest of the story.

Comparisons to the books

 Well the show has now moved ahead of the timelines of the books in most instances, whoever there are still a lot of difference in the situations of various characters. As it stands, Rickon is still nowhere to be found in the books, however it is implied that he and Osha are living on Skagos: a feral island off the Northern coast which is inhabited by cannibals! Ser Davos is sent by Ser Wyman Manderley (a Northern lord still loyal to the Starks) to return Rickon to him so he can make a claim for Winterfell. Throughout the series, Shaggydog is described as he most feral of the direwolves and Rickon's behaviour reflects that as well: he is the most wild and angry Stark. Booker readers are eager to see what the older Rickon Stark and Shaggydog will be like, especially after living with cannibals, however the show may have gone in a different direction and put them in a weakened position. Will the Starks ever catch a break?

 But back to the main event: the Tower of Joy. Perhaps the most important event in the books and the show, and it took place before the series even begun! I was so excited to see this played out on my screens and was glad to see that the television script kept very faithful to books:

 "I looked for you on the Trident," Ned said to them.
"We were not there," Ser Gerold answered.
"Woe to the Usurper if we had been," said Ser Oswell.
"When Kings Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered where you were."
"Far away," Ser Gerold said, "or Aerys would yet sit the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in seven hells."
"I came down on Storm's End to lift the siege," Ned told them, "and the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne dipped their banners, and all their knights bent the knee to pledge us fealty. I was certain you would be among them."
"Our knees do not bend easily," said Ser Arthur Dayne.
"Ser Willem Darry is fled to Dragonstone, with your Queen and Prince Viserys. I thought you might have sailed with him."
"Ser Willem is a good man and true," said Ser Oswell.
"But not of the Kingsguard," Ser Gerold pointed out. "The Kingsguard does not flee."
"Then or now," said Ser Arthur. He donned his helm.
"We swore a vow," explained old Ser Gerold.
Ned's wraiths moved up beside him, with shadow swords in hand. They were seven against three.
"And now it begins," said Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning. He unsheathed Dawn and held it with both hands. The blade was pale as milkglass, alive with light.
"No," Ned said with sadness in his voice. "Now it ends."

 However neither book readers or show watchers yet know exactly what Ned found in the Tower of Joy, however we have our very strong suspicions. In the books, Ned remembers a promise he made to Lyanna on that day whilst she lay in a 'bed of blood'. It is a very common theory that Lyanna gave birth to Rhaegar Targaryen's child, the one and only Jon Snow, and made her brother promise to keep his true identity a secret as Robert Baratheon would surely kill him given his hatred for Targaryens. If this is true, and Rhaegar in fact married Lyanna before Jon was born, this would not only mean that Jon Snow is not actually a bastard, but also that he is heir to the Iron Throne! It looks like we might be waiting a couple more episodes before this is confirmed though (if it even is true).


My favourite reactions to the episode



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Alysha Bennett

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