Game of Thrones season 8: Before your watch begins, a comprehensive recap of all 67 episodes

The Night King rides Viserion — and shatters the Wall

Season 7 | Episode 7 | The Dragon and the Wolf

The finale begins at King’s Landing, where the two opposing sides in the war for Westeros are to meet for a parley.

Cersei, Jaime, Euron Greyjoy, Master Qyburn, the Mountain, Bronn and sundry other soldiers form one side; Jon, Tyrion, Brienne and Podrick, the Hound, Ser Jorah, Theon, Lord Varys, Ser Davos and Missandei (aka Team Life) form the other.

Pleasantries insults are exchanged between the two parties before Tyrion and Jon get down to the real business of the day: convincing Cersei to agree to a truce while they fight the Night King beyond the North. They reveal the wight they brought along — Cersei seems horrified enough by it to agree to the armistice, until she asks, as one of the conditions, that the King in the North swear an oath that he will take up no arms against Lannisters and not declare for any side once the battle beyond the Wall is over. Jon refuses, and says he’s already sworn his fealty to Daenerys.

The complete recap is here: bit.ly/2Zb9cFB

Jon, Tormund et al go beyond the Wall to capture a wight

Season 7 | Episode 6 | Beyond the Wall

The Fellowship of the King — Jon Snow, Ser Jorah ‘The Bear’ Mormont, Gendry ‘The Bull’ Waters, Sandor ‘The Hound’ Clegane, Ser Berric Dondarrion, Thoros the Priest and Tormund Giantsbane — are trudging along the snowy expanses beyond the Wall. They have two minor skirmishes: a wight bear that attacks them, shaking Thoros around as though he were Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revanant, before finally being subdued by the others. Then, a group of wights along with their White Walker commander helpfully pass by so our heroes can capture one of them. Mission accomplished?

Read the recap here: bit.ly/2UjdM0X

Jon is fascinated by Drogon

Season 7 | Episode 5 | Eastwatch

After the fire and devastation that was episode 4 (The Spoils of War), episode 5 was more of a slow burn.

All through ‘Eastwatch’ (which except for the very end wasn’t really set at the dank Northern holdfast for which it was named), there was a sense of events being set into motion, the consequences of which will lead to a major conflagration.

Jorah, having being cured of greyscale, has made his way to Dragonstone. His khaleesi is happy to see him and the duo have an emotional reunion. By the end of the episode, however, Jorah’s off with Jon to fight those White Walkers marching to Eastwatch

Click here for the full recap: bit.ly/2KAexD6

Drogon attacks Jaime’s msn and the Lannisters’ ‘loot train’ from Highgarden

Season 7 | Episode 4 | The Spoils of War

Game of Thrones season 7 episode 3 gave fans what they’d been waiting for — a Jon-Dany meeting. Apart from that significant development though, it was bad news all around for the Mother of Dragons. Her conquest of Casterly Rock turned out to be an empty triumph, the Unsullied were stranded there with some more of Dany’s ships burnt, she’d lost yet another ally (Olenna Tyrell), and Cersei was having an all-around good time, thanks to having annexed Highgarden and taken over all its gold and (very nearly) the grain.

Well, episode 4 changed the stakes. Dany, suitably angry, is now on the warpath. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Here’s a quick review of every major happening on ‘The Spoils of War’: bit.ly/2GbdJz8

Daenerys Targaryen meets Jon Snow (really her nephew Aegon Targaryen)

Season 7 | Episode 3 | The Queen’s Justice

‘Stormborn’ ended with Dany’s allies — Ellaria Sand and her youngest daughter Tyene, and Yara Greyjoy — being taken captive by Euron, half their fleet burned, and Theon taking a PTSD-induced dunk into the sea.

How does ‘The Queen’s Justice’ pan out for Daenerys?

Jon and Ser Davos land on the shores of Dragonstone and are met by Tyrion. Tyrion and Jon’s meeting is a wonderful throwback to older times as they joke about when they last saw each other, discuss their brief association as brothers-in-law (Tyrion says of Sansa: “She’s smarter than she lets on” to which Jon replies, “Oh, she’s letting on.”) and finally, they walk into the throne room together where Daenerys awaits.

Cue a humorous scene where Missandei rattles off Dany’s many titles, to which Ser Davis responds with Jon’s introduction: " And this is Jon Snow" adding after a meaningful look from Jon, “King in the North”.

Read the complete recap here: bit.ly/2Zdc7xF

Sam works away in the Citadel

Season 7 | Episode 2 | Stormborn

Episode 1 of season 7 showed us what our favourite Westerosi lords and ladies were up to: Arya was carrying out mass murder of the Frey family, Sansa and Jon were squabbling like regular siblings, Cersei and Jaime were squabbling like not-so-regular siblings, Samwell Tarly was cleaning out chamberpots and latrines at the Citadel (and in a Harry Potter-ish nod, sneaking into the restricted section of its library), and Euron Greyjoy was promising to bring Cersei a ‘gift’ that would assure her of his honest intentions. What would that gift be? Long-forgotten Gendry jumping out of a cake, as New Yorker wondered in its review?

Well, no.

The answer to that question comes at the very end of episode two, called ‘Stormborn’ —in Daenerys’ honour.

Melisandre has found her way to Daenerys’ throne room. Here, she tells Dany of the ’long night’ and the ‘prince or princess who was promised (big reveal: High Valyrian doesn’t have a gender-specific word for prince/princess), who will bring the dawn’. Cue the mention of Jon Snow — King in the North — who Tyrion also vouchsafes for. A raven is dispatched, asking Jon to present himself at Dragonstone.

Jon must convince his fractious bannermen (and women) that seeking an audience with Daenerys would be in their best interests. Especially because, as Sam has told him, Dragonstone has mountains of dragonglass.

Read the full episode recap here: bit.ly/2GbFWWr

Dany reaches Dragonstone

Season 7 | Episode 1 | Dragonstone

Episode one of Game of Thrones season 7 is titled ‘Dragonstone’, and marks Daenerys Targaryen’s homecoming to the stronghold of the same name. However, that’s not the most chills-inducing moment of this pisodee.

That moment comes right at the start — with Arya Stark’s continued vengeance on the House of Freys. Season six had her (back now from Bravos) cutting the throat of Lord Walder Frey himself, after she fed him a pie into which pieces of his own sons were baked. As season seven opens, we see that her revenge is far from complete. At a banquet in which she takes on the persona of Walder Frey, she collects the entire family together, thanks them for their ‘courage’ during the Red Wedding in slaughtering the three Starks, and ensures they all drink a toast — of poisoned wine.

As the Freys choke and die, she tells the one surviving member (one of Walder Frey’s painfully young brides) to tell anyone who asks what happened: “The North remembers. Winter is here.”

Read the full episode recap here: bit.ly/2GlpUe2

Where everyone is at the end of Game of Thrones’ season 6:

At Winterfell — Jon, Sansa, Littlefinger, Tormund, Brienne, Pod

At the Wall — Ed, Bran, Meera

In King’s Landing — Cersei

In the Riverlands — Jaime, the Hound

Sailing to Westeros — Daenerys, Tyrion et al; Arya

Cersei rejoices

Season 6 | Episode 10 | The Winds of Winter

On the day of Cersei and Loras Tyrell’s trials, Cersei fails to appear at the Sept of Baelor. Margaery Tyrell, who is inside the Sept, is perturbed that Cersei and Tommen are still not in the Sept and understands that Cersei has set a trap.

A wildlife explosion destroys the Sept, killing everyone inside it. Tommen witnesses the explosion from Red Keep. Shocked and horrified, he takes his crown off, and leaps out the window to his death.

**

Bran Stark arrives near the Wall along with Meera Reed and Benjen Stark. At the grove with a weirwood heart tree, Bran has a vision of the Tower of Joy, where he sees Ned Stark finding his sister Lyanna, covered in blood. Lyanna, who has just given birth to her son, whispers to her brother to take care of the child and protect him from Robert Baratheon. It is revealed that the child is Jon Snow.

**

Ser Daavos confronts Melisandre regarding Shireen’s death. She admits to having sacrificed Shireen to the Lord of Light by burning her alive. An enraged Daavos requests Jon to execute Melisandre, but Jon instead exiles her.

**

Meanwhile, Arya Stark visits Walder Frey in the guise of his servant. She reveals that the pies he’s been eating have his own children baked into them. She reveals her true face, and slits Frey’s throat, exacting revenge for the Red Wedding.

Rating: ★★★★★

Things they said:

Arya to Walder Frey — “My name is Arya Stark. I want you to know that. The last thing you’re ever going to see is a Stark smiling down at you as you die.”

Dead: Walder Frey, High Sparrow, Loras Tyrell, Margaery Tyrell, Tommen Baratheon, Lancel Lannister, Kevan Lannister, Mace Tyrell

— Summarised by Pratishruti Ganguly

The Battle of the Bastards begins

Season 6 | Episode 9 | Battle of the Bastards

Daenerys Targaryen, Missandei, Grey Worm and Tyrion Lannister meet with the Masters, who say that Dany can only return to Westeros if she agrees to leave Grey Worm and Missandei behind, and kill the dragons.

She counters the Masters, and as a show of her staggering power, unleashes her dragons, burning their fleet.

Meanwhile, Theon and Yara Greyjoy offer to help Daenerys with their ships if she agrees to overthrow Euron, so that Yara can reclaim the Iron islands’ throne. Daenerys accepts — if the Greyjoys promise they will stop plundering the mainland.

**

Outside Winterfell, Jon Snow and Sansa Stark meet Ramsay Bolton and his entourage. Ramsay refuses to settle their dispute through a one-on-one combat, reminding them that he has captured Rickon Stark. When discussing battle strategies with Davos and Tormund, Sansa chides Jon for not having enough men to battle Ramsay. She also pessimistically predicts that they won’t be able to save Rickon.

Meanwhile, in the dead of the night, Ser Davos discovers the carved stag that he had given Shireen Baratheon, in a singed patch where the little girl was burnt.

The next morning, the Stark and the Bolton forces engage in a bloody battle. Ramsay frees Rickon from his shackles and asks him to run towards Jon. Once he starts running, Ramsay starts firing arrows at him. Jon rushes to save Rickon, but the youngest Stark is killed just before reaching Jon.

The battle leaves hundreds of soldiers dead on either side — but just when the Stark army appears doomed, Sansa and Petyr Baelish arrive with the Knights of the Vale.

Ramsay is finally overpowered by Jon, beaten bloody, and imprisoned. That night, Sansa visits Ramsay, who is now with the hounds in the kennel. Shetells him the hounds are starving, and releases them.

Ramsay’s hounds tear him to pieces.

Rating: ★★★★★

Things they said:

Sansa to Ramsay [before she sets the dogs on him] — “Your words will disappear. Your house will disappear. Your name will disappear. All memory of you will disappear”

Dead: Rickon Stark, Ramsay Bolton

— Summarised by Pratishruti Ganguly

Brynden Tully meets his death

Season 6 | Episode 8| No One

In Braavos, Lady Crane helps Arya tend to her wounds and urges her to join the theatre company, which is going to Pentos. However, Arya refuses, saying that she wants to travel west — to Westeros.

The following morning, Lady Crane is brutally murdered by The Waif. She intends to kill Arya too, and chases her down the streets of Braavos. During the chase, Arya’s wounds reopen and she uses her bloody hand to leave a trail, luring The Waif to a hideout.

As The Waif closes in on her, Arya extinguishes the only candle in the room with her sword, plunging the room into total darkness.

Later, when Jaqen H’ghar enters the Hall of Faces, he finds The Waif’s face in one of the shelves. He lauds Arya and announces that she is finally “No One”. However, Arya asserts she is Arya Stark of Winterfell, who is now “going home”.

**

The Hound kills some of the men of the Brotherhood Without Banners, who wreak havoc in his pastoral community..

**

Across the narrow sea, in Meereen, the Red Priestesses preach for Daenerys. While Tyrion is pleased, Varys warns him to not trust the Red Priests. He then heads off to Westeros for a secret mission to gather more ships and allies.

**

At Kings Landing, Tommen Baratheon announces that after consultation with the High Sparrow, he has decided to abolish trial by combat in the Seven Kingdoms. He adds that the trial for Cersei and Loras will be held in the Sept of Baelor on the first day of the festival of The Mother.

**

Brienne and Podrick arrive at Riverrun, where they encounter Jaime Lannister and Bronn. She proposes that if she can get Bryenden Tully to surrender, Jaime will let him lead the Tully army north to help Sansa reclaim Winterfell. Jaime sends Edmure to parley with his uncle. The Tully soldiers allow Edmure entry, but Brynden Tully is killed.

Rating: ★★★

Things they said

Cersei Lannister to the Faith Militant [when they come to fetch her for her rial]: “I choose violence.”

Dead: The Waif, Lady Crane, Bryden “the Blackfish” Tully

— Summarised by Pratishruti Ganguly

The Hound is back!

Season 6 | Episode 7 | The Broken Man

In the North, the Starks try strengthening their armies through Jon, Sansa, and Davos Seaworth’s efforts. They begin looking for allies to overthrow the Boltons. They first secure the support of the Wildlings, and then House Mormont. But House Glover refuses to swear allegiance. Despite having a meagre addition of only a few hundred soldiers, Jon insists that the attack on the Boltons should be immediate. Sansa disagrees, insisting that they try and recruit more houses. Following their disagreement, Sansa sends a raven to someone.

**

At King’s Landing, the High Sparrow hints at Lady Olenna’s lack of safety especially if she remains antagonistic to the Faith Militant. Margaery manages to convince her grandmother to leave King’s Landing for her protection. Cersei tries to convince Olenna to stay and combat the High Sparrow, but Olenna points out that they have already lost.

**

In Braavos, Arya secures her passage back to Westeros by bribing a Westerosi trader. But she is found and attacked by the Waif, who stabs her repeatedly. Arya manages to escape by jumping off the bridge and swimming away underwater.

**

In a pastoral community, the Hound — he’s alive! — seems to have turned over a new and peacable leaf. Alas, the peace doesn’t last very long.

Rating: ★★★

Things they said:

Tormund to Jon [when asked if the free folk will join the Starks] — “We’re not clever like you southerners. When we say we’ll do something, we do it.”

Dead: None

— Summarised by Shreya Paul

Gilly with Sam at Horn Hill

Season 6 | Episode 6 | Blood of My Blood

Bran and Meera Reed are still fleeing from the wights. Bran has a series of sudden visions which include Jaime Lannister killing King Aerys Targaryen, his own fall from Winterfell castle’s window, his father Ned Stark’s beheading, a wildfire explosion beneath King’s Landing, among other things.

Bran and Meera are saved by a caped horseman, as the wights get closer. Bran later discovers it is his uncle Benjen Stark. Benjen informs Bran that he needs to become the Three-Eyed Raven and control his warging before the Night King attacks the South.

**

Sam Tarly, along with Gilly and Little Sam, arrive at Horn Hill. After a heated argument at dinner, Sam is insulted by his father Randyll. He is asked to leave the baby (who the family think is Sam’s), and not set foot in Horn Hill ever. Initially obedient, Sam later takes Gilly and Little Sam along to the Citadel. He also carries House Tarly’s ancestral Valyrian steel sword, Heartsbane.

**

King Tommen agrees to join his forces with that of the Faith, in order to spare Queen Margaery the walk of atonement. Jaime, on the other hand, is asked to leave for Riverrun to overthrow Brynden Tully. He is relieved of his duty as the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard by an angry Tommen, who reprimands him for raising an army against the Faith.

**

At the Twins, Lord Walder Frey receives news of Riverrun’s recapture by Brynden Tully, Catelyn Stark’s uncle. An irritated Walder chastises his sons, Lothar Frey and Black Walder Rivers, for their ineptitude in defending the castle. Walder demands that the Tully stronghold be reclaimed, refusing to be humiliated for his inability to hold on to a single castle. He summons his men and orders them to take Edmure Tully as their prisoner.

**

While discussing resources, Daenerys and Dario encounter a gust of wind. Daenerys rides out alone to investigate. Just as her party grows impatient with waiting, she returns, riding Drogon. Later, she leads her army of the Unsullied and Dothraki, to lay claim to the Seven Kingdoms.

Rating: ★★★

Things they said:

Benjen Stark to Bran [about being ready to face the Night King] — “You will be there waiting for him and you will be ready."

Dead: None

— Summarised by Shreya Paul

Hodor holds the door

Season 6 | Episode 5 | The Door

At the Wall, Sansa Stark confronts Petyr Baelish about his plan of marrying her off to Ramsay Bolton. Baelish, true to his insincere self, lies blatantly about being unaware of Ramsay’s sadistic ways and begs her forgiveness. Sansa, who seemed naive till this point, declines his offer of support.

Jorah Mormont reveals his greyscale to Daenerys at Vaes Dothrak. In a moment of intense emotion, he confesses his love for her. Daenerys orders him to leave her and find a cure for the disease.

Meanwhile, Yara Greyjoy’s claim to the Iron Throne is contested by her uncle Euron. Euron unabashedly admits to having assassinated Yara and Theon’s father. Following his bombastic promises of marrying Daenerys Targaryen and conquering Westeros, he is elected king. However, Theon and Yara flee with the best ships in the Iron Fleet.

Beyond the Wall, Bran Stark is aided by the Three-Eyed Raven to trace the origins of the Night King. Bran sees a vision of the Children of the Forest stabbing a man with a dragonglass dagger. Leaf, one of the Children, admits that their ongoing war with the First Men left them with no other choice but to create a “weapon” — that turned against them.

Bran’s subsequent vision leads him to a haunting view of a mammoth army of wights led by the Night King. The Night King touches Bran in the vision, and the spells that guard the weir tree from the White Walkers is broken. They attack, in force.

Bran, Meera and Hodor try to escape, while Leaf and Summer perish trying to beat back the army of the dead. Hodor then holds the door to the hideout, keeping the wights trapped within while Meera flees with Bran.

In a moment of split consciousness, Bran envisions a young Hodor, then called Wylis, who suddenly has a seizure while echoing Meera’s words (in the present): “Hold the door”. As Wylis keeps repeating the words in a fit, they slur to become “Hodor”.

Rating: ★★★★

Things they said:

Brienne about Jon —“ He seems trustworthy. A bit brooding, perhaps. I suppose that’s understandable considering…”

Dead: The Three-Eyed Raven, Leaf, Summer, Hodor

— Summarised by Shreya Paul

Sansa is reunited with Jon at Castle Black

Season 6 | Episode 4 | Book of the Stranger

Jon readies to leave Castle Black. As Ed argues with him about how he can leave, the horn sound. Brienne, Pod and Sansa enter. Jon and Sansa see each other, and after a moment of disbelief, they hug. They discuss what to do next. Sansa tells Jon they have to take track the North or they’ll never be safe.

Davos questions Melisandre about her plans and about what really happened to Shireen. To the first she says,”Whatever Jon Snow commands”, because he is the Prince who was Promised. The latter she shrugs off.

Brienne comes up to them and says she executed Stannis for his part in Renly’s death. She also looks at Melisandre threateningly, indicating that she will serve justice on her as well.

**

Littlefinger comes back to the Vale. He tells Robin they should help Sansa, who has escaped from Winterfell and gone to Castle Black. He asks Lord Royce to gather the Vale’s armies.

**

Tyrion negotiates with the masters of Yunkai, Astapor and Volantis. He offers them seven years to end slavery completely, post-which they will be compensated fairly for their losses. In return, they will cut off all funding for the Sons of the Harpy.

The deal creates bad blood in Meereen, and Grey Worm and Missandei are made unhappy by it too.

Jorah and Dario reach Vaes Dothrak. They decide to sneak in under cover of dark and take Daenerys away. Dario sees the greyscale on Jorah’s arm. They enter the city and after killing two men, they find Daenerys who has stepped out of the Dosh Khaleen’s hut. She tells them they won’t be able to take her out by themselves alive, instead they will try for another way.

**

The High Sparrow speaks to Margaery. He allows her to see Loras. Loras is completely broken down and Margaery is frightened when she sees him so.

Cersei comes to talk to Tommen. He says they must proceed cautiously against the High Sparrow lest Margaery is harmed.

Cersei and Jaime meet with Olenna Tyrell and Kevan Lannister. They advise Olenna bring the Tyrell army to King’s Landing and take Margaery and Loras back by force.

**

Theon returns to Pyke and Yara is angry with him. He convinces her that all he wants to do is help her.

**

Osha is brought to Ramsay. He questions her. Seeing a knife on the table next to Ramsay, Osha pretends to want to seduce him. Before she can stab him, however, he sticks a knife in her neck. As she lies dying on the floor, he tells her that Theon had revealed all about “the Wildling girl who saved the Stark boys” and how she did it.

Ramsay sends a letter to Jon saying Rickon is in his custody and other sundry threats. Sansa says Ramsay has about 5,000 men. Tormund tells Jon he has about 2,000. They decide to rouse the North and take back Winterfell.

**

Daenerys is presented before a council of khals who discuss what they should do with her. She tells them none of their plans fit in with what she wants.

When they threaten her, she tips over the many stands containing fires in the great hut. The grass and wood catches fire; Jorah and Dario have blocked the doors from outside so the khals can’t get out. They all burn to death while Daenerys emerges unburnt.

The khalasar kneels to her, as do Jorah and Dario.

Rating: ★★★ and a 1/2

Things they said:

Jon to Sansa — “If I don’t watch over you, father’s ghost will come back and murder me.”

Dead: Osha, Khal Moro

Daenerys is brought back to Vaes Dothrak

Season 6 | Episode 3 | Oathbreaker

Jon awakens and is weak and disoriented. Melisandre asks Jon what he saw after (dying). She adds Stannis was not “the prince who was promised” — but someone has to be.

Later, Jon is called by Ed to mete out justice to the mutineers. Four of the traitors,including Ser Alliser and Olly, are hanged.

He gives up his position as Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.

**

The ship to the South passes through stormy seas and Sam is sick. Sam tells Gilly the Citadel doesn’t allow women so he’s going to take her to his family home at Hornhill.

Bran and the Three-Eyed Raven see a vision of Ser Arthur Dayne — the Sword of the Morning — confronted at the Tower of Joy by Ned, Howland Reed and some others. Ned asks Ser Arthur where Lyanna is, and why the knight wasn’t by Rhaegar’s side at the Trident. Ser Arthur replies his prince wanted him here.

As Ned fights Ser Arthur, Howland Reed stabs him in the back; Ned delivers the death blow. Ned hears a woman’s cries of pain from the tower, and rushes up. Just as he does, Bran calls out to him, and it’s as though Ned has heard him for he looks back, but the Three-Eyed Raven makes Bran come back out of the vision.

**

Daenerys reaches Vaes Dothrak and is taken to the Dosh Khaleen. The former khaleesis tell her all the khals have convened there and will decide on her fate.

Varys finds out that the Harpies are being funded by the rich masters of Yunkai and Astapor with help from Volantis. Tyrion asks Varys to get messages out to these masters.

**

At King’s Landing, Qyburn grooms Varys’ network of child informants. Cersei asks Qyburn to send them throughout Westeros. She then proceeds, with Jaime and the Mountain to “crash” a small council meeting. But Kevan Lannister, Olenna Lannister, Mace Tyrell and Grand Maester Pyrcelle simply leave the room.

Tommen meets the High Sparrow and say Cersei must be allowed to Myrcella’s final resting place. The High Sparrow attempts to influence him instead.

**

Arya gets better and better at her training. The Waif is not pleased. Jaqen H’ghar gives her a drink of water and Arya gets her sight back.

**

Lord Umber comes to Winterfell asking for help against the Wildlings Jon has let through. He refuses to kneel to Ramsay though, instead offering two “gifts” — Osha and Rickon. To prove Rickon is who he is, Umber also presents Shaggydog’s head.

Rating: ★★★

Things they said:

Jon to Ed — “You have Castle Black. My watch has ended.”

Dead: Olly, Ser Alliser, (also Ser Arthur Dayne)

Bran with the Thee-Eyed Raven

Season 5 | Episode 2 | Home

The Three-Eyed Raven and Bran visit Winterfell through a vision. They see two little boys sparring in the yard. The older one is Ned, the younger— Benjen. Lyanna rides a horse around the yard.

They see an unusually tall boy called Wylis stabling a horse. Bran realises that Wylis is Hodor. The Raven tells Bran it is time to return.

Bran tells Meera the Raven told her a war is coming. A Child of the Forest tells Meera that Bran will need her help.

**

Tommen tells Jaime how ashamed he is of his inability to save Margaery and Cersei from what happened to them. Jaime says Tommen’s mother understands, and to talk to Cersei.

Jaime threatens the High Sparrow, and backs down after the Faith Militant gathers round them.

**

In Meereen, Varys lists all their problems: Yunkai, Astapor have been taken back by the Masters, all of Slavers’ Bay apart from Meereen is back in slavers’ hands. The dragons won’t eat and are wasting away. Tyrion decides to release the dragons from their chains.

He enters the catacombs and speaks soothingly to Viserion and Rhaegal of how he wanted a dragon very badly as a child and asked his uncle for one as a present. When he is told by his father that the last dragons had died, Tyrion had cried. As he narrates the story, he slips the chains off the dragons and quickly leaves the catacombs.

**

The Waif attacks Arya again. A bruised Arya is told by Jaqen H’ghar that if she tells him her name he’ll give her a roof, food and her vision back. She says, “A girl has no name”. He takes her back to the House of Black and White.

Roose Bolton and Ramsay are told by the young Lord Karstark that the men pursuing Sansa were killed. Karstark and Ramsay discuss attacking Castle Black and Jon, since that is where Sansa is likely headed. Roose warns Ramsay that if he “acquires a reputation as a mad dog, he’ll be treated as a mad dog”.

Just then, the Maester comes in and congratulates Roose — Lady Walda has given birth to a boy. Karstark congratulates Roose ,and Ramsay comes forward to embrace his father. “Congratulations father, I look forward to meeting my baby brother," he tells Roose.

Roose tells Ramsay: “You’ll always be my firstborn.”

“Thank you father, that means a great deal to me,” Ramsay replies, before stabbing Roose to death.

Ramsay asks the Maester to send for Lady Walda and the baby. Ramsay takes her to the kennels. She is scared and asks where Lord Bolton is. Ramsay replies: “I am Lord Bolton”, and releases the hounds. Walda pleads to save her baby’s life: “He’s your brother,” she says.

“I’ve always liked being an only child,” Ramsay says, as the hounds attack.

**

Brienne tells Sansa she saw Arya. Theon takes their leave and says he will return to the Iron Islands, as he cannot face Jon.

At Puke, the Greyjoy’s discuss the loss of Deepwood Motte, their last hold on the mainland. Yara and Baelon argue about how things have gone.

Later, as Baelon crosses a bridge in the storm, he sees a cloaked figure waiting. It is Euron, his brother. Euron pushes Baelon to his death.

The Ironborn intend to hold a kingsmoot to choose their next ruler. 

**

Davos comes to Melisandre and asks if any magic can help Jon. She refers to Thoros and Ser Beric Dondarrion. Davos convinces her to try the same prayer with Jon.

She performs her rituals over Jon, washing his blood away, snipping his hair and putting it into the fire. Nothing happens. Dejected, Davos, Tormund, Ed and Melisandre leave the room.

Ghost sleeps beside Jon. He awakens suddenly — and so does Jon.

Rating: ★★★ and a 1/2

Things they said:

Jaime to the High Sparrow [when the latter asks if he isn’t afraid of spilling blood in the High Sept] — “Oh I don’t think they’d mind. The gods have spilled more blood than all of us combined.”

Dead: Roose Bolton, Lady Walda and her baby, Baelon Greyjoy

Arya is attacked by the Waif

Season 6 | Episode 1 | The Red Woman

Ghost howls in the stables of Castle Black. Davos hears Ghost and leaves his chambers, to see Jon lying in the snow.

Davos, Ed and some of the brothers carry Jon inside. They bring Ghost as well. Melisandre comes to speak with Davos; she sees Jon dead and tells Davos she “saw him (Jon) in the flames, fighting at Winterfell”. Davos also tasks Ed with seeking help from Tormund and the Wildlings, as whoever supports Jon is in danger of losing his life as well.

Ser Alliser tells the brothers of the Night’s Watch that Jon’s decision regarding the Wildlings left him with little choice but to kill the Lord Commander.

At Winterfell, Roose asks if Sansa and Theon have been found. Ramsay says he has men and his best hounds on their trail.

Sansa and Theon run through the snow. Theon finds them a small shelter but the hounds reach them. Theon tells Sansa to go to Jon and unsuccessfully tries to draw the men and dogs off. Just as the men try to capture Sansa, Brienne and Pod ride up. The Bolton men are killed. Brienne pledges to serve Sansa and Sansa accepts her service.

Jaime’s boat reaches King’s Landing. Cersei rushes out to greet him, but she sees a golden shroud behind him.

The High Sparrow comes to Margaery and tells her to confess.

The news of Myrcella’s death reaches Doran Martell. Ellaria stabs him while Tyene kills his guard. On his ship, anchored in the waters near King’s Landing, Doran’s sonTrystane is killed by Nym and Obara.

Daenerys’ ships are burnt in the bay of Meereen, while Tyrion and Varys are walking through the city.

Varys and Jorah track Drogon. They also find the khalasar’s trail and Dany’s pearl ring.

Daenerys is taken to Khal Moro, and he wants her as his mistress. Dany reveals she is Khal Drogo’s widow and asks to be taken back to Meereen. Moro says a widow of a Khal must go live out her days with the Dosh Khaleen at Vaes Dothrak.

A blind Arya is attacked by the Waif while she begs in the streets. The Waif says she will be back the next day.

Davos is asked by Ser Alliser to leave the room with the brothers who are present within. They are given until nightfall to surrender. Davos tells the brothers they will all be killed as soon as they step out. He says Ed and Melisandre are their only hopes.

Melisandre is in her room. She takes off her necklace and turns into an ancient woman. She climbs into her furs and sleeps.

Rating: ★★★

Things they said:

Jaime to Cersei — “We’re the only ones who matter, the only ones in this world. And everything they’ve taken from us we’re going to take back and more.”

Dead: Doran and Trystane Martell

Where everyone is at the end of Game of Thrones’ season 5:

At Winterfell — Roose and Ramsay Bolton

Castle Black — Davos, Melisandre

Somewhere between Winterfell and Castle Black — Theon and Sansa, Brienne and Pod

Beyond the Wall — Bran, Hodor, Meera

At King’s Landing — Cersei, Tommen, Margaery, the High Sparrow, Lady Olenna

In southern waters — Sam and Gilly, Bronn and Jaime

In Meereen — Tyrion, Varys, Grey Worm, Missandei

Somewhere in the great Dothraki grass sea — Jorah and Dario, Daenerys

Jon Snow dies

Season 5 | Episode 10 | Mother’s Mercy

The snow thaws around Stannis’ camp. Melisandre believes it’s a sign the sacrifice of Shireen was successful. Stannis is brusque with her.

His men then tell him half his army has deserted, with all the horses. Another soldier appears, to report that the Lady Selyse has been found dead; she has hanged herself. And while Stannis was with Selyse, Melisandre has been seen riding out of camp. Stannis stoically orders his men to get into marching formation.

Stannis reaches Winterfell. Pod, out hunting, sees his banners and rushes to inform Brienne. Brienne leaves her station — just as Sansa (who has escaped from her room) lights a candle in the window of the abandoned tower.

Stannis prepares to lay a siege when Bolton men come riding out to meet them; the Baratheon army is slaughtered. Brienne finds Stannis wounded and sentences him to die for Renly’s murder.

Sansa is rushing back to her room when she is caught by Myranda; Theon is with her. She threatens to injure Sansa and as she draws her bow, Theon pushes Myranda over the railings. She falls to her death below. The horns blow announcing Ramsay’s army’s return; Theon takes Sansa’s hand and runs up the ramparts. They both jump onto the snow below, outside the Winterfell walls.

**

Meryn Trant canes three girls at the brothel in Braavos. The first two cry out, but the third takes the beating without a whimper. He dismisses the other two, then punches the third girl to the floor. The girl raises her hands to her face — it is Arya. She stabs Trant through the eyes, and asks if he remembers Syrio Forel. She asks, if Trant knows who she is, if he knows who he is. As she slits Trant’s throat: “I’m Arya Stark,” she says. “And you’re no one.”

She returns to the House of Black and White. Jaqen H’ghar tells her she took a life that was not hers to take and now a price must be paid. He drinks from a vial of poison and falls down. Arya cries, thinking Jaqen is dead. But he isn’t. The Waif takes on his face. And as Arya pulls off one face after another from the fallen body, she finally comes to her own. Aghast, she begins to cry as her eyesight fades. She has gone blind.

**

Myrcella et al leave for King’s Landing. Ellaria Sand kisses her goodbye. In the boat, Myrcella tells Jaime she knows he is her father and she hugs him. As she pulls back, her nose begins to bleed; she convulses and dies. On the dock, Ellaria wipes away a nosebleed and scrubs her lips before drinking from a vial of antidote.

**

Tyrion, Dario, Jorah talk. Grey Worm (still not recovered from his wound) and Missandei join them. They decide that Jorah and Dario will track Dany and Drogon. Tyrion will govern Meereen with Missandei and Grey Worm’s help. Varys comes to Tyrion as well. He tells him they’ll have to collect as much information as they can, if they have to save the city.

Daenerys has been carried to a vast grassland by Drogon. He refuses to fly her back home or even bring food. Disconsolate, Dany begins to walk and is surrounded by a Dothraki horde. She drops her pearl ring onto the ground.

**

Cersei decides to confess to the High Sparrow. She “confesses” to sleeping with Lancel but not the other charges — incest, of her children being bastards, causing the king’s death. The High Sparrow tells her there will be a trial to decide on her punishment and the truth of the other charges against her. She asks to be allowed to return to the Red Keep to see her son, and the High Sparrow says she can — once she has completed her atonement.

Cersei’s hair is shorn and she is made to walk back naked to the Red Keep as Septa Unella chants “shame, shame” and rings a bell. Cersei is pelted with trash and bodily fluids and curses but finally reaches the palace, crying and bleeding. Qyburn wraps her in a cloak and presents “the newest member of the Kingsguard” to her — the Mountain 2.0.

**

Jon tells Sam how the Night King raised the dead at Hardhome. Sam convinces Jon to let him to go to the Citadel and study to be a Maester. Sam, Gilly and the baby leave Castle Black the next day.

Ser Davos comes to Jon, to get the Wildlings to fight for Stannis. Melisandre reaches Castle Black as well. She seems distraught. Davos asks her about Shireen, Stannis and the others, but Melisandre’s silence says it all. Jon and Davos are stunned.

That night as Jon sits in his room, Olly tells him a Wildling has information about his uncle Benjen. Jon rushes out with him.

Ser Alliser leads Jon to a group of men; Jon sees the men have surrounded a wooden board with the word “traitor” painted on it. Ser Alliser stabs him, saying: “For the Watch”. Each of the gathered men do the same. The last to do so is Olly.

 Jon falls on the snow and bleeds to death.

Rating: ★★★★★

Things they said:

Stannis to Brienne [when she asks him for his last words] — “Go on, do your duty.”

Dead: Stannis Baratheon, Myranda, Ser Meryn Trant, MyrcellaBaratheon/Lannister, Jon Snow

Shireen Baratheon is burnt at the stake