RGBeyondAsshai

Sam will be a wizard :) Lemon cakes for everyone.

Agreed. I just re-watched all the episodes of season so far and basically you see Olly at Castle Black more than anyone else. Even when the camera pans for an expected Jon reaction, we are looking at the back of Jon's head to see Olly's facial expression of confusion or disapproval. The only takeaway since he just showed up at the end of last season in time to kill Ygritte is that Olly is going to make a very important, probably bad decision and they really wanted to the audience to know his name and his face since there hasn't been enough time to actually endear him as a character. As for Jon, I have to wonder if the letter is going to be a person instead, someone can give him details about certain events happening in Winterfell. It would have to be pretty graphic to get Jon to leave his post after the Night's King stare down.

So this is the first season I've watched since I've read ALL the books (including Dunk and Egg and World book) so I had to separate my "Wait, that didn't happen" reaction with how did I like this episode. I love the Wall and I love Tyrion and Varys...though at the same time these were the two most shocking changes. Just abrupt--Mance is totally dead so he won't be going to Winterfell in disguise...(or is he? *G*) and...Varys is in the Dany Club and planning to put her on the throne, and wants Tyrion to help (aegon? who the heck is aegon?) I hope we'll see more Maggy the Frog. That was really quick for a flashback. Sad we didn't see weird Tywin smile. I'm going to give it an 8 just because I'm so glad it's back on and I can get my fix.