Game Of Thrones Season 6 Episode 4: Book Of The Stranger
20:40
If there was ever an advert for the strong, independent woman then this week's episode was it. In a fictional society that deems woman as not as useful as men, Westeros is looking like it is going to be saved by bad-ass women! This week Daenerys took down the patriarchy and got herself a brand new army, Brienne got herself a new admirer and Margaery looks set to scheme her way out of her imprisonment. Meanwhile the men looked like the broken ones. Loras Tyrell is not coping well at all in the dungeons of the Sept, Jon Snow wanted to run away from the Night's Watch and warfare, and even Tyrion is struggling to appease the former slaves and slavers of Meereen.
But most importantly, the moment we've been waiting for for years finally happened. There was actually a Stark reunion! I think that I am right in saying that we haven't seen any of the Stark children speak to each other since season 3 when Bran and Rickon were separated, so this moment has been a hell of of a long time coming. I'm sure that when Jon stormed off last week we all thought that yet again our characters would pass like ships in the night but for once the showrunners have made us happy! When Jon and Sansa meet again, it is a truly happy moment full of cheesy goodness unlike most the material we see on this show. Within minutes they are discussing how they can retake Winterfell from the Boltons and Sansa is at last taking back some control and revenge for herself.
This episode was one of the strongest in the whole shows's history ad sets up a number of great potential battles for the end of the season. The Starks/wildlings/Knights of the Vale vs the Boltons. The Tyrells vs the Faith Militant. The Dothraki/Daenerys/Dragons vs anyone who gets in their way.Surely by the end of this season we will see the Mother of Dragons arrive on the shores of Westeros? Then we can see the biggest battle of all: Dragons vs White Walkers!
But most importantly, the moment we've been waiting for for years finally happened. There was actually a Stark reunion! I think that I am right in saying that we haven't seen any of the Stark children speak to each other since season 3 when Bran and Rickon were separated, so this moment has been a hell of of a long time coming. I'm sure that when Jon stormed off last week we all thought that yet again our characters would pass like ships in the night but for once the showrunners have made us happy! When Jon and Sansa meet again, it is a truly happy moment full of cheesy goodness unlike most the material we see on this show. Within minutes they are discussing how they can retake Winterfell from the Boltons and Sansa is at last taking back some control and revenge for herself.
This episode was one of the strongest in the whole shows's history ad sets up a number of great potential battles for the end of the season. The Starks/wildlings/Knights of the Vale vs the Boltons. The Tyrells vs the Faith Militant. The Dothraki/Daenerys/Dragons vs anyone who gets in their way.Surely by the end of this season we will see the Mother of Dragons arrive on the shores of Westeros? Then we can see the biggest battle of all: Dragons vs White Walkers!
Pros
- Daenerys burning the Khals in Vaes Dothrak. What a speech! After some pretty dull scenes in Slaver's Bay it was so satisfying to see the Daenerys we all know and love back again: burning her enemies and surviving infernos.
- The Jon and Sansa reunion. Enough said. THE NORTH REMEMBERS.
- Chemistry between Tormund and Brienne. Tormund Giantsbane seductively eating in front of his dream woman was arguably my favourite part of this episode.
- No Dorne. After wiping out the royal family back in episode 1 we haven't heard a peep from the Sand Snakes, and I for one am not complaining.
Cons
- First Shaggydog and now Osha. Not even the Stark's family friends and pets can survive this godforsaken show!
- I used to think that the High Sparrow was a benevolent guy, but every week we see more and more of a menacing undertone to his character, Last week he nearly took on Jaime Lannister, and this week he tries a more subtle approach with Margaery. However she sees right through his façade and I have a funny feeling that it won't be long before the High Sparrow gets to meet his seven gods.
Comparisons to the books
Daenery's story in George RR Martin's books is full of cryptic clues and prophecies, and this week it seems like they are starting to be fulfilled. A mysterious woman in Qarth repeatedly appears to tell Daenerys that "To go north, you must journey south, to reach the west you must go east. To go forward you must go back and to touch the light you must pass beneath the shadow." This week Daenerys went back to being a leader of the Dothraki. It is no coincidence that the final scene in this episode almost mirrored the final scene of season 1 where the dragons were born. Another promising sign that Daenerys could be Azor Ahai and/or the Prince That Was Promised.
Another key element from the books that was shown tonight was the 'Pink Letter'. This is the letter sent by Ramsay Bolton to Jon Snow at the end of the episode, essentially declaring war. This scene was slightly different from it's original depiction on the page; in fact this happens before Jon Snow's murder in the books. The book letter is written below:
"Your false king is dead, bastard. He and all his host were smashed in seven days of battle. I have his magic sword. Tell his red whore.
Another key element from the books that was shown tonight was the 'Pink Letter'. This is the letter sent by Ramsay Bolton to Jon Snow at the end of the episode, essentially declaring war. This scene was slightly different from it's original depiction on the page; in fact this happens before Jon Snow's murder in the books. The book letter is written below:
"Your false king is dead, bastard. He and all his host were smashed in seven days of battle. I have his magic sword. Tell his red whore.
Your false king's friends are dead. Their heads upon the walls of Winterfell. Come see them, bastard. Your false king lied, and so did you. You told the world you burned the King-Beyond-the-Wall. Instead you sent him to Winterfell to steal my bride from me.
I will have my bride back. If you want Mance Rayder back, come and get him. I have him in a cage for all the north to see, proof of your lies. The cage is cold, but I have made him a warm cloak from the skins of the six whores who came with him to Winterfell.
I want my bride back. I want the false king's queen. I want his daughter and his red witch. I want this wildling princess. I want his little prince, the wilding babe. And I want my Reek. Send them to me, bastard, and I will not trouble you or your black crows. Keep them from me, and I will cut out your bastard's heart and eat it.
Ramsay Bolton, Trueborn Lord of Winterfell."
After reading this letter, Jon Snow (still the Lord Commander) asks men of the Night's Watch to join him in retaking Winterfell and rescuing his sister. This is the event that triggers the mutiny and Jon's murder, as men of the Night's Watch must take no part in the wars of the Seven Kingdoms. I actually prefer the route that the show has taken with this storyline, as we now don't have to wait around for Jon's resurrection for it to move forward. Bring on #BastardBowl!
After reading this letter, Jon Snow (still the Lord Commander) asks men of the Night's Watch to join him in retaking Winterfell and rescuing his sister. This is the event that triggers the mutiny and Jon's murder, as men of the Night's Watch must take no part in the wars of the Seven Kingdoms. I actually prefer the route that the show has taken with this storyline, as we now don't have to wait around for Jon's resurrection for it to move forward. Bring on #BastardBowl!
My favourite reactions to the episode
Jorah: We're here to rescue you!!— Emma Scully (@xceteras) May 16, 2016
Dany: Cute. ∗sets the khals on fire & raises a Dothraki army∗#GameOfThrones
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