So we now know the fate of John Snow, and the result should surprise absolutely no one. The only flaw in this hour of television was the complete lack of surprise value - Game of Thrones is massively successful because of its ability to shock by usurping expectations. So when the Everyone Gives Up But Wait There's More! suspense routine and the Awakening Gasp trope combined to dilute what could have been a powerful and emotional moment, I was slightly disappointed with the resolution of five years of waiting.
But that was basically the only complaint I could possibly muster with what is otherwise an outstanding episode. In taking the lives of his father, (step) mother, and baby brother, Ramsey has finally ascended the ladder and positioned himself to be the primary antagonist for whatever war happens in the North. Tyrion released the dragons in a surprisingly touching and intense scene in the Mereen dungeon, and once again Peter Dinklage is worth celebrating for his nuance and depth he brings to one of television and literature's great characters. Balon Greyjoy was dethroned in another intense scene on a rickety rope bridge in the middle of a torrential downpour, setting up the coming Kingsmoot - the last vestige of foreknowledge that book readers can still lord over the non-readers. Sansa is now going to Castle Black to reunite with John, though I could see her getting detoured if she gets (late) word of John's death.
Cersei's giant crushes a braggard, and the Wildling's more-giant Giant also crushes a Crow, both in swift, brutal fashion. Thorne's interrupted siege is another one of a half-dozen suspenseful conflicts, ending with the Ed's predictable return. Great exchange between him and Thorne: "No commander in a thousand years has let wildlings through into this Castle..." "Then you'll be the first."
Bran Stark finally returns and does a little dreamwalking with tree- bound Max Von Sydow, and along with a brief surprising reveal about Hodor, creates a very circle-of-life undercurrent to the show. And even though we don't have any incredible battle scenes here, this episode may be one of the most important ones in the series. It was tonight that I felt the theme of the show has finally come into its own - Balon, Ned, Tywin, the Dornish Prince whats-his-name, Bolton... all are now gone, leaving their conflicts to a new generation. Circle of Life. Interestingly enough, the men are the ones dying, and the women are rising in power and influence in their wake (Cersei, Yara Greyjoy, Sansa, the Sand Snakes, Daenerys, maybe Arya); one might start to suspect a subtle feminist slant to the story.
But that's neither here nor there. To borrow from another cultural juggernaut, "the last remnants of the old republic have been swept away." With season 6, episode 2, we finally have the table set for the remaining human conflicts. Ramsey plans to march on Castle Black. Tyrion has released the dragons, setting up Daenerys' inevitable (breathtaking, I'm sure) escape from her new prison. Arya is back in the House of Black and White, possibly recovering from her blindness. John has returned, and will likely be reinstated as Commander of the Night Watch and crux of the War against the White Walkers. Sansa is heading toward Castle Black, where she will help unite the North against Ramsey and turn their attentions toward the real enemy. The Lannisters will surely be fighting a Dornish army soon, Bran is training to be the Eye of the North.
A new generation is rising in Westeros, and one of this era's most spectacular visions is beginning to ready itself for its inevitably spectacular conclusion. Tonight it stretched its wings, and I sat back in excitement, ready for it to soar.
But that was basically the only complaint I could possibly muster with what is otherwise an outstanding episode. In taking the lives of his father, (step) mother, and baby brother, Ramsey has finally ascended the ladder and positioned himself to be the primary antagonist for whatever war happens in the North. Tyrion released the dragons in a surprisingly touching and intense scene in the Mereen dungeon, and once again Peter Dinklage is worth celebrating for his nuance and depth he brings to one of television and literature's great characters. Balon Greyjoy was dethroned in another intense scene on a rickety rope bridge in the middle of a torrential downpour, setting up the coming Kingsmoot - the last vestige of foreknowledge that book readers can still lord over the non-readers. Sansa is now going to Castle Black to reunite with John, though I could see her getting detoured if she gets (late) word of John's death.
Cersei's giant crushes a braggard, and the Wildling's more-giant Giant also crushes a Crow, both in swift, brutal fashion. Thorne's interrupted siege is another one of a half-dozen suspenseful conflicts, ending with the Ed's predictable return. Great exchange between him and Thorne: "No commander in a thousand years has let wildlings through into this Castle..." "Then you'll be the first."
Bran Stark finally returns and does a little dreamwalking with tree- bound Max Von Sydow, and along with a brief surprising reveal about Hodor, creates a very circle-of-life undercurrent to the show. And even though we don't have any incredible battle scenes here, this episode may be one of the most important ones in the series. It was tonight that I felt the theme of the show has finally come into its own - Balon, Ned, Tywin, the Dornish Prince whats-his-name, Bolton... all are now gone, leaving their conflicts to a new generation. Circle of Life. Interestingly enough, the men are the ones dying, and the women are rising in power and influence in their wake (Cersei, Yara Greyjoy, Sansa, the Sand Snakes, Daenerys, maybe Arya); one might start to suspect a subtle feminist slant to the story.
But that's neither here nor there. To borrow from another cultural juggernaut, "the last remnants of the old republic have been swept away." With season 6, episode 2, we finally have the table set for the remaining human conflicts. Ramsey plans to march on Castle Black. Tyrion has released the dragons, setting up Daenerys' inevitable (breathtaking, I'm sure) escape from her new prison. Arya is back in the House of Black and White, possibly recovering from her blindness. John has returned, and will likely be reinstated as Commander of the Night Watch and crux of the War against the White Walkers. Sansa is heading toward Castle Black, where she will help unite the North against Ramsey and turn their attentions toward the real enemy. The Lannisters will surely be fighting a Dornish army soon, Bran is training to be the Eye of the North.
A new generation is rising in Westeros, and one of this era's most spectacular visions is beginning to ready itself for its inevitably spectacular conclusion. Tonight it stretched its wings, and I sat back in excitement, ready for it to soar.