Maybe a new topic should be created for book readers vs show viewers? And isn't there a separate "How did your non-reader friends react etc..." topic?
As to the show. Wow. Just wow. I am speechless. Once again, I did not see this happen, Jon Snow... one of my most favourite characters.
I completely disagree with your assessment that the episode was not a finale. Maybe there was a bit much going on for one single episode (but then I always would prefer more character/background and less action), but overall exactly because of this it was (strategically thinking) a great finale. Essentially all threads were very intense, developed, and all have open ends, keep you wondering, even if you like only one house / storyline - you will be excited for the next season, no?
To expand your summary:
Jon: I agree he must be coming back. The romantics will dream that this was just a nightmare and he'll wake up at the start of next season. I think it is more likely that Melissandre will turn him into something, after all he has royal blood. Would she even have the power to heal him (after all she was quite interested in him). A White Walker resurrection sounds interesting, but he was killed by humans - unless they throw him over the wall which seems not unlikely. But then, shouldn't that be saved for later?
And now, what is going to happen to the Wildlings? A massacre?
So Melissandre. She managed to kill Stannis’ heir and wife, his army, maybe him too. Was her goal the downfall of Stannis all along? Or did she miscalculate her position (not so likely)? Or did she decide against Stannis once she had met Jon?
Death(?) of Stannis, I also agree, not sure. Usually the show quite enjoys graphic killing, so it was definitely a deliberate act to not show it - to keep us wondering. I also tend to think he's dead but who knows? Brienne might think he could be a token to free Sansa...
Sansa / Theon: Same thing - dead or not? You thought it was suicide, possible, I'm more inclined to think escape. It's Winterfell after all, they both know it perfectly (and furthermore in movies there is way too often a conveniently located haystack etc ;)), maybe somebody ended up seeing the candle after all?
Dany’s story: I confess, I always liked it. Now, not a good position for her, if I remember correctly, only a few Dothraki joined her back then, a lot were hostile, right? (Maybe I should re-watch all 5 seasons.) But then, we don’t know what happened with them in the meantime. And certainly a more seasoned queen is returning now.
Tyrion and Varys, great scene, I have grown fond of Tyrion and it will be interesting to see how this interim government will deal with the civil war. Ah, and what will happen to the two remaining dragons?
Arya's story, I’m excited about it too, she’s one of my favourite characters, but how will such a strong-willed person become no one? Sounds like quite a fight against herself
Cercei's walk: Yes I agree it was very long, could have been shorter, an orgy of humiliation, and I guess that was exactly the point. We have all known her for 5 seasons, now compare this walk to everything that happened before and imagine, how her hatred must have burned in her during this long long awful walk, and how her hatred will burn in the next season…
Cercei’s return to the palace: I need to re-watch the episode, but it definitely felt there is something very wrong. With the Grandmaester’s look, this silent giant, her uncle over-friendly and over-protective, felt fake, I think huge changes must have happened in the palace and not in Tommen’s / Cercei’s favour…
Also, we have not seen anything of Tommen and Margaery for two(?) episodes.
Jaime/Myrcella: I’m not surprised. The sudden change in Ellaria last episode, was just to easy, not credible, it was clear something bad was going to happen. Will Jaime or Trystane have antidote (they all, at least Doran, should be smart enough to know Ellaria a bit and have taken precautions). Will Trystane blame Jaime and kill him? Will Jaime take Trystane hostage to have a token for revenge? Will they both turn the boat to turn against Ellaria? Will Ellaria also kill Doran and rule, open a new front on the Lannisters?
So so many questions, so so many possibilities, and so so many months until season 6...
Great post! Thank you for NOT putting book spoilers in it, as so many others on this site seem incapable of doing.
This was really a great episode. Yes, Cersei's walk of shame burned a bit too much film time, but overall it was excellent.
Pycelle seemed like a changed man when Cersei returned. He stood proud and confident, and was not at all the cowering toad we have seen in so many of the episodes.
As much as I hate Cersei, I hope to see her crush the Sparrow and his friends. I expect the Mountain will lead a vanguard to attack them.
Ellaria's 'playing nice' with Jaime always seemed on orders from the Prince, and her poisoning of Myrcella seems to confirm that. Too bad - I was beginning to like M. (I should know better).
Varys' return was a high point for me. I love the banter between him and Tyrion - some of the best in the series.
Melissandre's actions were very interesting. After the finale, I think she knew Jon was the One when she met him/tried to lay with him at the Wall. She seemed shocked when she saw the mutiny in Stannis' camp, but that might have just been normal shock and realization she needed to get out of Dodge.
Predictions:
Stannis is dead. The Hound is dead. Jon Snow will be brought back by Melissandre. Davos will commit suicide when he learns what Stannis did and the results. Varys and Tyrion will gain control of Mereen from the Harpies. They will release Dany's other two dragons, and the three will join up and burn the Dothraki holding Dany. Dany will return to Mereen, grab her people and armies and head for Westeros.
[No Spoilers] EP510 Discussion
in E10: Mother's Mercy
Posted · Edited by Desiato
Great post! Thank you for NOT putting book spoilers in it, as so many others on this site seem incapable of doing.
This was really a great episode. Yes, Cersei's walk of shame burned a bit too much film time, but overall it was excellent.
Pycelle seemed like a changed man when Cersei returned. He stood proud and confident, and was not at all the cowering toad we have seen in so many of the episodes.
As much as I hate Cersei, I hope to see her crush the Sparrow and his friends. I expect the Mountain will lead a vanguard to attack them.
Ellaria's 'playing nice' with Jaime always seemed on orders from the Prince, and her poisoning of Myrcella seems to confirm that. Too bad - I was beginning to like M. (I should know better).
Varys' return was a high point for me. I love the banter between him and Tyrion - some of the best in the series.
Melissandre's actions were very interesting. After the finale, I think she knew Jon was the One when she met him/tried to lay with him at the Wall. She seemed shocked when she saw the mutiny in Stannis' camp, but that might have just been normal shock and realization she needed to get out of Dodge.
Predictions:
Stannis is dead. The Hound is dead. Jon Snow will be brought back by Melissandre. Davos will commit suicide when he learns what Stannis did and the results. Varys and Tyrion will gain control of Mereen from the Harpies. They will release Dany's other two dragons, and the three will join up and burn the Dothraki holding Dany. Dany will return to Mereen, grab her people and armies and head for Westeros.
Season 6 is going to be great.