Anothermi

Ah, yes. THAT old saw. I remember it well. It's lost a lot of meaning these thousands years hence. (/tongue now removed from cheek) I initially thought the same, but those Wildlings have always been a do-my-own-thing kind of people and it wouldn't surprise me if there was a band of don't-quote-facts-at me! who headed even farther north toting all their survival gear. Now they'd be the ones who those "southern politicians" of Westeros would allude to when arguing to re-build that Wall - and make the Wildlings pay for it!!! They could come in very useful to opportunistic types. Nah. There aren't any of THOSE types in Westeros. No Way. Seriously, who needs White Walkers when the non-magical folks do such a good job of massacring each other.

Way back on TWoP (I think) there was a discussion on getting rid of the Wall altogether by the end of the show. That would be a task for Jon, I think. He won the respect of the Wildlings and they fought with him, so it would only be fair to allow them move freely on either side of that Wall. I would expect push back on this idea from Southern politicians who never even met a wildling, so might still think of them as evil snarks and grumpkins. But tearing down the divisions between the 2 peoples (whether physical or metaphorical) would be a satisfying thing for me. Not to mention carrying the feeling of just-to-be-sure for the survivors.

Sunday is fast approaching and my thoughts have been turning back to King's Landing. I don't know if A Show will take us there right away, or if they will give us - and the characters - time to grieve and regroup. But there was something in Episode 2 that gives me incentive to observe Lord Qyburn very closely when we do get to King's landing. The was a scene in E02 that indicated that Qyburn, too, had believed Cersei when she declared she and her armies would join the fight against the AotD. Cersei was standing on (the battlements?) looking out over Blackwater Bay and musing (as she does... most probably about how she is going to devise the demise of Unine Greyjoy) when Qyburn come scurrying up with a very worried looking face. He declaims that the Army of the Dead have breached the Wall. By the look on his face he was NOT expecting her reply of: "Good". His face resumed a neutral expression at that point. My spitball, given that A Show has seen fit to provide us with that reaction, is that Qyburn may also be a potential author of Cercei's doom. I see him as a little bit like Sam. Awkward and unusually prescient in his proclivities. But he didn't have the support team around him that Sam had and had to be sly about how he survived. (remember that it was Robb who 1st found him - way back when! so he may play an important role) Right now I am sure that he could be a decent man - given the right circumstances - but he spent his life - like Varys - telling those above him what they wanted to hear. So, like Tywin, if he see the winds blowing away from Cercei? I believe he will switch sides. BUT, he doesn't realize there is Sam who could replace him in a trice, so a late change of heart may not save him. If this is the case, I will be sad to see his role ended. He's been a curious and compelling character since we first saw him. I'm hoping that he will end up doing the right thing and be allowed to follow his passions under the watchful eye of Arch Maester Samwell Tarly back at the Citadel. (Sam will have moderized the Citadel and Gilly may even study there.<wink face> )

It's helpful to note that Winter Is Coming is an important reminder - even IF the Night King is gone. It's equivalent to current day: Climate Change is Here. Not a good thing to not remember.

Re-watched. Memory sure is a tricky thing. On one level, my feelings about what I saw (my memory) is still true (which also means I still only have an impression, but no proof, of the demise of Rheagal - so there is still hope). But the big difference is what we were shown vs what I remembered seeing... (somewhat earlier before the scene I remember, but related) Jon and Dany (on dragons) are hovering above the fog trying to get their bearings. Out of the fog bursts the NK on Viserion who comes up behind Drogon and breathes blue (whatever that is) at his tail. It mimics a Spitfire fight complete with a rat-a-tat-tat sound from Viserion's throat as he "fires" at them. Then, for some reason, Viserion stops and dives back into the fog. (then the scene cuts away to Arya being saved by Beric. More on that below) NK flies over Winterfell spewing blue fire around. It is Jon and Rhaegal who flew at/ into them (not as I remembered) and started the dragons fighting each other. This fight took place above the Weirwood tree in view of Theon and the Iron Born. (didn't remember that). It is very hard to see, but I've assumed that when a dragon is clawed and red shows, that it's the living one - Rhaegal. He takes quite a beating. NK had his Ice Sword out and Viserion got close enough to be biting at Jon. Then, Dany and Drogon appear (I didn't remember them at all) and seem to "pluck" the NK off Viserion and he falls to earth in a shot reminiscent of Jaime sinking in the river after Bronn tackled him out of range of Drogon's fiery breath during last seasons epic battle. Rhaegal is so wounded that he is shown plummeting toward the ground. Jon manages to, just barely, hang on. They land awkwardly - like those shots of geese landing... first running, then not keeping up to the speed and flopping forward onto their necks. This is exactly what Rhaegal did. Not on water, as I remembered, but on snow (which makes so much more sense) which sprays up like water would as Rhaegal slides to a stop. Jon is thrown off early - so no thoughtful assistance from the dragon (as per my memory). That awkward landing is the last we see of Rhaegal. Jon actually looks towards where I think Rhaegal is, but the shot is of a dragon flying toward him. It is Dany and Drogon flying over him. So... close, but no actual death. ------------------------ Now on to the death of Beric Dondarrion. He threw his sword at the zomboni on top of Arya and seems to have got HIM, but but didn't get his sword back. So, while Clegane is dragging Arya to safety, Dondarrion his holding off the zombonies with his body. There is an incredibly evocative shot of him with his hands pressed against opposing walls of the corridor being stabbed repeatedly by the dead and looking just like Christ on the Cross. Giving himself up to the Lord of Light. I couldn't help myself. I was moved. Yet he manages to get away and make it to the room where Arya and Clegane have just arrived so he can die in their presence. (good old GoT time-shift).

You may be a Stumbler, but you have dead (pun intended) accurate aim when hunting for some of the best quotes! By 3 (or was it 4) of the Seven, I dub thee Ser Kentucky Fried Hound. Even when you arrive late? You come bearing gifts (sometimes gifs too). Lots of our faves required rescuing but Edd died because he helped Sam up. Having said that, Edd treated Sam like a regular member of the Night's Watch and expected as much from him. Like Bran did for Theon, Edd gave Samwell the dignity he deserves, so I cede to Llywela's well reasoned arguments. Sam WAS better placed on the battle line than in the crypt. And Story-wise, Edd becomes someone the bards (should) remember in song. (Now is the time to bring in Ed Sheeran don't you think?) ETA: forgot to add that Sam had been derided by (whichever fuck face it was - Thorne?) for only being good as food beyond the Wall - or in any battle. Sam took that to heart and this battle showed he was as good as any other fighter. Certainly as good as that guy who Davos told they even needed HIM so he needed to go get a weapon. Sam just wanted to be an ordinary male. And he is in one way. But he's extraordinary in many other ways.

I remember Jon & Rhaegal flying in the blinding fog and being hit by another dragon (like when Jon & Dany first lost each other in the fog) but when he squinted to see if it was Dany he saw the NK instead. The bloody air battle ensued and I remember Rhaegal landing in water (where the heck did that come from?) but close enough to shore to allow Jon to get off. I may have assumed Rhaegal's death due to never seeing him again - even after the battle. Guess I forgot the Rules of A Show. It the death is not shown? It wasn't a death. I just had a very strong impression that I witnessed Rhaegal's demise. I'm going to have to rewatch that part. It's true that the crypt was probably the best place for those not fit to fight. But it seemed to me that some of them should have been armed with dragonglass weapons. Tyrion? Even little Shireen clone could have done some damage. I'm going to have to hand wave that there wasn't enough dragonglass weapons to have some "stored", in effect, down in the crypt. Also, Bran knew of the Night King's ability to raise the dead from graves but he said nothing. He really takes the broader view doesn't he. Thanks @gingerella. I did half a re-watch but hadn't got to that part yet. (I've got to space it out. Too much intensity to sit through it all at once again)

Of course there might be another reason Drogon was cuddling up to Dany... he's now an only child <RIP Rhaegal> and needs solace as well. Although we knew the dragons were likely to have to face down their brother, I have to assume neither of them knew their brother Viserion was now the enemy. Rhaegal fought bravely and managed to find a place to put Jon down safely (i.e. not letting him drop from a great height). Brave and noble beast. Apparently taking after his name sake.

^^YES to THIS^^ I was positively purring with "what a good dragon you are. Yes you are. Your a sweet dragon. Your such a good little dragon." (and of course AWWWWW)

I figured out it was just a standard dragon glass blade when Sansa brought it out for Tyrion to see, when they were hiding behind the concrete tomb in the crypt. The scene when Arya gave it to Sansa was as dark as most of the other scenes, so I initially thought Arya gave Sansa Knifey! and I thought she'd lost her mind. But she hadn't. She had armed herself with flaming arrows, Valerian steel AND a back up dragon glass short knife. Handing the one over to Sansa wasn't the best idea, but better than not arming her at all. Now, I wonder where her specialty, self-designed weapon is? And when it is going to make an appearance? It better not have been a ploy to get Gendry in the I mean ON the sack(s). That would really annoy me. I couldn't, and still can't, remember where it was shown that he was expected to go into the crypt. However, I DO remember the scene where he made the decision to stay out and fight. I loved the Sam/ Edd interactions around that (even though that decision resulted in Edd's demise). When Sam joined Beric, Tormund, Celgane and Edd, Edd looked at him and just said "What took you so long?” I'm sorry that Edd bought it in this battle. He really grew on me. I don't think he was initially part of Jon's little band of don't-fits (Sam, Pyp, Gren) but seemed to start being one of them after their experiences at the Fist of the First Men. And for some inexplicable reason I'm thinking that if Ned hadn't beheaded him, Last-to-Die (from S01E01) may have been part of that merry band as well. Well, except that Benjen said he was a good ranger, so he wouldn't have been there very long. (/end of nostalgic flight of fancy) So... back to your point, Ging. Agreed that Sam needs more self knowledge because it was one thing to cower behind a rock at/near the Fist of the First Men - and be (metaphorically) thrown back as not good enough for the army of the dead! - and another to zone out in the middle of a battle where everyone is fair game. It's interesting that Clegane was also immobilized by fear, like Sam, but when he overcame his fear he, at least, was an effective fighter and didn't need a body guard. (Sorry Sam). I wish they hadn't done that. I know I also spitballed that the show runners would resort to it, but it took me out of the scene a little bit. The dead were not the newly dead Starks- who might have been horribly recognizable- but ancient, anonymous ones that were likely decomposed into bits, but they came out all attached anyhow - with fishing line? or something? I kept peering at the dark forms trying to recognize some former Stark. It would have make a better scene for me if the zombonies from outside had found a way in - like they did at the tree of the TER. And on a slightly different topic. I wondered if A Show let some of the main character actors be cameo Wights for these scenes. I wonder that because the wight who heard the blood drip from Arya's head in the library looked all the world (to me) like a curly haired Theon (Alfie Allen). Sometimes I thought I recognized other actors too, in cameo zomboni close-ups. Anyone else? Just me?

Well, as someone who isn't a big fan of battle sequences, this Show has managed to impress me with each of the Big ones. Standing O for this one. And it went on for a loooong time! I kept checking the clock to see if there was time to lose another character. (and hoped there wasn't) The interminable waiting to see the enemy at the beginning really ramped up the tension. Geez. As if my neck and shoulders aren't tight enough! I kept thinking of the soldiers in the 1st World War, for some reason, in a number of scenes - including once the NK brought the storm/fog. Fighting blind. It's not that old in warfare. I almost expected to see allies accidentally killing each other out of sheer terror and lack of ability to distinguish the dead from the living. (At one point Arya stabbed a couple of creatures that spewed a reddish coloured liquid from their wounds.) OF COURSE the Dothraki led the charge - and few returned - always the go to for expendable (even before the Wildlings who are also members of the Expendable League). For the Dothraki, this was nothing like the Westerosi armies they'd scoffed at (and easily bested) in the south. At least they were able to take out a few zombonies with their fire swords. Thanks, Mel, they were worst than cannon fodder without your help! And it gave me a moment of feeling uplifted which was sorely needed. I also appreciated not seeing their horses decimated but being allowed to see that some horses escaped. But, with the endless stream of dead to contend with, being astride anything wasn't much of an advantage on the ground (see how few seconds it took Drogon to be overwhelmed). Pallas explained the "why?" but I felt that greeting was at it's most appropriate in that moment - for both Melissandre and Grey Worm. Mel: Valor Morghulis - all men must die... Grey Worm: Valor Dohaeris - all men must serve. It was great to see Ghost out there charging - even surging ahead of Jorah's horse! I didn't quite understand why Ghost was with Jorah and the Dothraki. He didn't have experience with either did he? Perhaps he naturally gravitated to the fiercest fighters (Dothraki) and the most (ahem) dogged (Jorah). On second thought, perhaps Ghost felt that if Jon had Jorah's family sword with a wolf handle (and was on a dragon anyway) he should join Jorah as HIS wolf handle - with a mouth full of sharp blades at the ready. Fair trade. Ghost always did have a mind of his own, but one that was in sync with Jon's. And YES to all who subscribe to A Show's convention that if a main character is not seen to die - they did NOT die. Will have to add more later.

That's what I thought, too, when I saw her.

LMAO. You are till the Queen of the Wordsmiths. AcK! Didn't even think of that! I'm hoping that Benjen's reprieve by the CotG might still protect him from re-animation. I'm praying to the Old Gods and the New as hard as I can. Craster? Don't think he was burned by the Night's Watch turncoats: Karl, Rast (Commander Mormont slayer) & the rest of that Crew. However, by that time Jon and his gang knew to burn the dead so I don't think Jorah will be confronted by his dead father trying to kill him. At least that's what I remember right now. So maybe only Craster? But knowing the turncoats, digging a grave would be too much work, so he may have been laying around too and Jon et al would have added him to the pyre. The only time we saw the dead arise from the grave WAS at the Weirwood tree occupied by the TER. And that seemed to be shock value. They all returned to the grave - taking Jojen with them. Still, I think the dead rising from the crypt might be a real possibility - even if in montage - just for the shock value. I can't remember who is in charge of defending the Crypt - except that little girl who wasn't sent to get a weapon. Anybody else know?

Littlefinger? Is that you rising from the ashes? Always ask: "What's the worst reason someone could have for doing what they are doing."☺️ Yes, Jon has given up power already AND he actually knew an honourable Targaryen who gave up the throne. Of course that might mean he'd have to re-join the Night's Watch. But it wouldn't be needed, would it, if Life wins the coming battle. Perhaps the Queen's Guard (but not like Jaime). Nah! The wheel can be broken and Jon can emulate Theon and claim Dany would make a better Ruler and he could start a school to train Westrosi children how to be strong yet humble. Embrace knowing nothing! I don't think he has a chance of not being a bastard - but bigger twists have happened. However, his claim would be to a short reign (that led to war) vs one that had survived for generations (until the inbreeding resulted in THE LAST STRAW!! Dammit.) No matter how I look at Gendrey's chances it leads to, at best, a bloody war and a short reign OR just a bloody war and lots more death. Yes, absolute Rule is all she ever knew. From Viserys. From Drogo. Even in the places where there were city states instead of countries? There was some form of absolute Ruler (even Qarth had a select few who made all the decisions). But she has been learning over her story arc. Who knows? Perhaps she will recognize that Jon - however reluctant - would be the better ruler between them. Then SHE could be the one to start a school ... nooo... She could refurbish the Dragon Arena and call it Grimm's Funhouse. And good little children would get a ride on her dragons... and bad little children would become their dinner! She could fully express both her inner impulses. Win-Win. (wink face)

I rewatched the scene in the Winterfell Strategy room (as opposed to the one at Dragonstone): Sansa exclaimed: “You want us to use you as bait? Arya: We're not leaving you alone out there.” Theon: He won't be. I'll stay with him. With the Ironborn. I took this castle from you. Let me defend you now. (Bran nods assent) So Theon wasn't going to defend Bran on his own. Poetically fitting, as I see it. HE would represent the Stark in him – defending his “family” - and the Iron Born who followed him would represent the Greyjoy in him. Finally bringing together the two sides within Theon that Jon gave him permission to embrace back in Season 7 in the Throne Room at Dragonstone when Theon tried to ask permission to go and rescue Yara. (Jon basically said "Why are you just standing there" indicating you don't need permission to defend your family) Jon then argues that the dragons need to be near Bran to protect him but not so near that they keep the Night King away. He plans to use them to pursue the Night King if he comes. (NO!NO!NO! Don't burn down the Weirwood tree!!!) So, yes, Jon planned to be nearby (as @Pallas pointed out above) and if the dragons (plural) were going to defend Bran at a distance, then Dany would also be there. Arya asks if fire will stop him. Bran admits that nobody knows. No one has ever tried. I spitball that No One (Arya) will give it a try! As per someone's (Gingerella's) spitball earlier in another thread. As for Theon being the worst person to defend Bran? What with all the harkening back to the early days of A Show... I remembered that Theon has already saved Bran's life in Season 01. From the Wildlings (with Osha). Robb tore a right strip off of Theon for that because he shot his arrow at the Wildling using Bran as a shield. Theon was an excellent archer and confident in his abilities. If only for Story sake – he IS the right person to be there to protect Bran. Yes! It! Does! Great observation, Oh creator of the Spitball Wall.

What a magnificent encapsulation of those legacies that follow this epic opening salvo, @Pallas ! - Ned's sword re-united on the left flank with Brienne & Jaime (wipes away a tear of sweet justice) - Jeor's sword, again to be wielded by a true leader - Heart's Bane. Such a convoluted, tragic path! I hadn't thought about all that, so thanks for illuminating it. In the hands of Jorah, a good man with principles honed by finding his purpose in life, and forgiven for his weaknesses, on behalf of his father, by the person who saved him. Commander Mormont saw the value in Sam. Sam saw the value in Jorah. - and Knifey! What a journey! Two round trips from King's landing to Winterfell - and perhaps one more before the story ends? I remember so many posts (back on TWoP) trying to figure out who's knife it was. We were hobbled by the unpredictable time frames the show gave us. But Littlefinger was high on the suspect list - and became famous for getting around Westeros 10 times faster than everyone else. ⌛☹️ More than a list (which we put together a few years ago) but an entire History! Brava.

Yes. I remember it like it was less than a week ago. Oh, yeah, it was. It's in the recap I wrote last Thursday of S07E06.

S08E02: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Now THAT title makes more sense than the one previously up there. Good fakeout, @raven , our stalwart defender! I feel your pain, Ging. I had a similar, but different, experience. I don't remember how many episodes there are this Season, but I KNOW A Show is winding down and, as somebody is always saying: it feels like the leaves are falling and winter is coming. To me it's like heading on a cross country drive with your BFFs to start a new life on the far coast. The road trip is so much fun and you learn so much and grow the whole way that reaching your destination is anticlimactic. ☹️ But I have a sneaking feeling I'm going to enjoy re-watching this episode no matter how many years go by. Sure, it was excellent fun speculating about some of it, but it will be rewarding to remember what we got right, what we missed by a mile and what we got kinda right but not in the way we thought. ^THIS^ was the meat and potatoes (tofu and curried spinach for you vegetarians). And yes, there was a lot of box ticking going on in my head. But I was once again thrown back to season one seeing the mirror image of the (now) old warriors interacting with respect and camraderie - even though they were on opposite sides of the battles they were reminiscing about. (Beric and The Hound, Jaime and almost everyone there, Theon and all the Starks mirroring Ned and Barriston Selmy reminiscing about Robert's Rebellion, Jaime and Jory (dead Head of Ned's household guard) reminiscing about the Siege of Pike. Things have changed but the way people are remains the same. The life lessons learned during all these conflicts soften the edges of the characters and when they look at their former (or even current) enemies they see themselves. Certainly the Stark extended family do. Just as Ned and Robert spoke so fondly and respectfully of Jon Arryn, so do Theon, Sansa and Jon speak of Ned. (and Arya, not to forget Arya!) This is both how we speculated the Jaime/Brienne story would wrap up... and not. He would live up to her expectations of him because she believed in the real him. The person he always wanted to be, before all those rules you couldn't possibly obey without breaking another one, made him jaded. I DID NOT EXPECT him to make her a knight!!!!!! The best surprise EVER. This, for me, brought in the Oral Tradition concept from 1st nations peoples around the world. The Storytellers were the collective memory of a people. It's what made them a unique group. The TER, it now appears, is the vessel that houses the collected knowledge and experience of the 1st men and all their descendants. We learned that the NK has tried to wipe out all their history three (3) times but each time there was someone who had learned how to gather it back and keep it available. Now we know why the NK "marking" Bran was so important. Perhaps, instead of the TER being a way to keep track of the activities of the WW (my speculation)... it was the gift the CotF gave the 1st men to ensure they would keep track of themselves! (altered speculation). As far as the show runners are concerned they didn't need to have Tormund and Edd speak about the re-animated Viserion because Bran blurted it out after the formal greeting of Dany and Jon had barely begun last episode. They already KNEW the NK now had a dragon on the dark side. Details might have been useful to share (how it now functions, what differences?: Not Much!), but... details, schmetails. WE all know.

At least two of the thirteen WhiteStumbler listed are now accounted for. Ghost and Gilly & little Sam (who is one cute little kid).

While I do think Bran was waiting for Jaime right then - and without malice - I wouldn’t be surprised if he is also waiting for Theon. Although perhaps a little later. And also without malice. He knows so much now that those things pale in comparison.

A disguise for his ride through the North, I think. Jaime's hair was already darker back in S07 episode 4. He's older now and many people's hair changes at this time of life. Red dulls, goes paler or goes auburn. Blond goes dish-water blond (yucky brownish). That's what I think we are seeing with Jaime. Plus, he is showing a lot of grey as well. I don't think it is a disguise.

And Jon is going to need some time to process this and there isn't much time to spare.

Intriguing. I'm with @gingerella on the thought that the NK's ultimate goal is to end his own torment. Immortality is not all it's cracked up to be - ask the vampires. But as I mentioned up thread, this former-1st man had a lot of anger and resentment bottled up inside. So... Why kill the Max/TER and not seek help from him? Spitball incoming: If Max/TER was a human at the time of the creation of the first WW, he may even have known the first man who the CotF chose for their "warrior". Perhaps the NK even blames Max in some way. I think this is possible because the tales Old Nan told Young Bran were lore from long, long ago and the 3eyed Raven was already part of that. Heck, I'd even spitball that Max/TER was also "created" by the CotF but perhaps willingly, as a way to always be aware of what NK was up to because the CotF, themselves, did not have the power to stop or contol him. (I'd even spitball that Max/TER could have been the NK's father because who do we love to hate most? Our parents.) The CotF may have foreseen the coming of the Lord of Light's prophesied Prince-who-would-lead-us-all. They did what they could to constrain the powerful anger of the NK (keep tabs on him). Truly, the Rubics Cube theory is looking mighty good to me at this moment (yes, likely to be crushed by A Show, but I'm enjoying it for now as it is a beautiful theorem). Further, while it may be the end-goal of the NK to end his own misery, he is motivated by hate and anger. After thousands of years of this cycle it may have hardened into his raison d'etre. (If I've got to live like this, everyone will have to!) The CotF likely didn't realize that the temperament of the human they selected would define the warrior they created until it was too late. And with Max/TER they might have been a little bit more careful? (it would take magic for a human to live all this time, and becoming one with a weirwood tree to boot! Great thought, KFC. It's an icy form of a message in a bottle. "SOS" By the way, I believe that the tree Max/TER was under is/was the same tree as the 1st WW was tied to when created. In the scene where Bran is "touched" by the NK he is just outside that tree and there are vestiges of the stone spiral visible in the long shots. Just sayin'. For what it's worth.

Yah. I dithered about the reason myself. I knew it would be to cauterize in any other show, but thought that being killed/ wounded by a zomboni would also start the turning process. At Hardhome those who died and turned were not all killed by WW. But, again, we DID see the Night King make the "All Rise" motion, so it may have been down to him that the dead reanimated. He HAS become a lot more powerful over the seasons. I suppose that Thoros wasn't injured badly enough to require intervention (like I thought when I wrote that). The only method of intervention we know of, requires the insertion of dragonglass into the heart. (ala Benjen but we know he was attacked by WW) This IS annoying isn't it. The they-don't-need-to-know imperative of the show runner. We got that same kind of approach in all of the Winterfell scenes this episode. Sansa and Arya, all of a sudden, start acting like when they were children! We buy into it because it is familiar, but it was in "stark" contrast to how they had related to each other in the preceding episodes.

Episode 6. Opens on a deserted strategy room at Dragonstone and the camera pans up the table/map of Westeros to Castle Black and then beyond the Wall. Seque to the little band of Brooders heading to (only Clagane knows I think, 'cuz he saw it in a fire). Walk & Talk exposition: Tormond schools Jon in “pride and principles kill many innocent folk”. Reminding him that Mance refused to bend the knee and many free folk died because of it. Gendry admits this is the 1st time he's ever seen snow. Asks how they keep their balls from freezing off. Tormund states that it is refreshing and doesn't smell like pig shit like the south (which he calls Winterfell and Jon refutes). Tormond goes on to explain that you have to keep moving to keep your balls warm: 3) walking's good; 2) fighting's better; 1) fucking's best. Jon points out that there isn't a living woman within a hundred miles from here. Tormond leans over to face Gendry and says: “We have to make do with what we've got.” Gendry drops back. Gendry walks with the Bw/oB folk (plus the Hound) and Thoros asks “you still mad at us, boy?” (Gendry IS and points they sold him to a witch). Thoros clarifies “Priestess” but admits it's a subtle distinction. He describes what Melissandre did to him and Clegane suggests it doesn't sound so bad. When Gendry exclaims that they wanted to kill him, Sandor points out that they didn't, so Gendry should stop his whinging. Gendry claims he's not but Sandor points out: “Your lips and moving and you're complaining about something. That's whinging.” Pointing to Dondarion he states “He's been killed 6 times and you don't hear HIM complaining.” (Mic drop) Jon tells Jorah how much he admired his father. Jorah states he deserved a better son. They deplore the way Commander Mormont met his death and Jon states that they avenged his death on every mutineer. (they “found justice.”) Then Jon abhored how his own good, honourable father met his end on the executioner's block. Jorah revealed that Jon's father wanted HIM executed, but them revealed that he was right. Jon rejoined that he knew, but that he was glad Ned didn't catch Jorah. Then he tries to give Longclaw back to Jorah, who refuses because he shamed his father's name and his house, so he forfitted the right to the sword and that it is Jon's because his father gifted it to him. (end of 6 minutes of catch up) Winterfell – Arya and Sansa on the balcony where Ned and Catelyn used to watch the children train in the yard. Arya tells Sansa about sneakily practicing archery when no one was around, and when she finally got a bullseye she heard a slow clap from above and Ned was there smile his approval at her regardless of what her “place” was supposed to be. But Sansa senses there is something more and ask for it. Arya unrolls the scroll she stole from Littlefinger's room (probably last episode which I didn't recap). It is the only copy of Sansa's letter to Rob after Joffrey had their father killed. It was dictated by Cersei, but Arya is back under the Statue of Baelor and seething at her sister. Sansa tries to keep cool, but she knows the damage that scroll could do to her support in the north. They part with the tension between them thick as ice. Beyond the Wall – It's Clegane and Tormund this time. Tormund is constantly poking the obvious (to him) sore spots in everyone's psyche. Fire, of course, for Clegane. After being told that Sandor was pushed into a fire, he retorts “ever since you've been mean.” which gets him a “fuck off” from the Hound. Then he says he doesn't believe Clegane IS mean. He has sad eyes. They manage to turn the conversation to his plans for Brienne and the huge, beautiful babies they will make. The Hound is incredulous that he is with HER, so Tormund has to admit not yet, but he believes it will happen because of the way she looks at him. Clegane says “Like she wants to carve you up and eat your liver?” Tormund muses “You DO know her” The exchange ends with the Hound muttering “How did a mad fucker like you live this long?” Tormund “I'm good at killing people.” Next up: Jon and Beric Dondarian. They share being brought back to like by a follower of the Lord of Light. Not much else. But Beric, while not understanding what the L o L wants from him, knows that he is a soldier and that he is not fighting for any king but FOR life and against death. Even though death will always win, the fight is worth it and he and Jon, while not finding joy while they are here, can keep others alive. Those who can't defend themselves. This touches a chord in Jon as he recalls a part of his Night's Watch oath “I am the shield that guards the realms of men.” The the other thing I took away from this was Beric pointing out that Jon doesn't look a bit like his dad. And then Sandor sees the mountain that he saw in the fire. The one shaped like an arrowhead. Dragonstone – a bit of light talk in front of the fire between Dany and Tyrion outlining that Dany and Jon are attracted to each other – because the viewers can't see the broad hints strewn everywhere. Then they get down to the impending visit to Cersei. Tyrion brings up Dany's plan to “break the wheel” and points out the her successful ancester, Aegon, built that wheel – and he succeeded using fear as his ruling tool. Just like Tywin and Joffrey. Tyrion raises the topic of her weakness – her tendency to do things impulsively. This lead to a discussion about long term goals of her reign including after her death, and Dany forcuses (impulsively) on him making plans that include her death and the discussion goes not farther. Beyond the Wall – in a blinding snow storm. The battle of the gigantic, blue-eyed BEAR! (I prefer the banter myself) Beric and Thoros ignite their swords and light it on fire! Jorah finishes off the beast with what must have been a valerian steel dagger (given it's immediate effect)! But not before Thoros gets bitten and... (RIP anonymous Wildling #1). Beric burns the bites on Thoros chest with his sword to nullify the zombifying poison. Winterfell – Sansa asks Littlefinger what to do about Arya having her letter to Robb. (Littlefinger tells her he doesn't know where Arya got it. R_i_g_h_t.) He lays out a plan to Sansa in his oblique way so that she can believe it is her idea. It involves Brienne being honour bound to protect both Catelyn's girls. And would be bound to intercede if one planned to harm the other. The wheels in Sansa's head “go round and round”. Beyond the Wall – the intrepid band of brooders marches on. (under an overhanging rock that looks like a monument had been spontaineously erected to the dead zombearli) Jorah asks a still mobile Thoros about the famous flaming sword event at the seige of Pike. Thoros was so drunk he doesn't remember it. (Whitestumbler has chronicled the dialog for us so I leave it at that.) Our group spies a small line of zombonies below them walking single file. They are led by a WW and arrive at the camp just vacated where the fire is still burning and one shoe remains of the deceased Wilding. They are ambushed by our gang and a fight ensues. Jorah is getting bested by a zomboni just as Jon's(?) valerian sword strikes the WW. At the moment he disintigrates all the zombonies shatter into their respective body pieces & fall to the ground inert. Except one. Must have been a loaner from another WW. Not so scary now, are you! He is taken down by a punch from Tormund and Clegane lying on top of him. He lets out an ear piercing scream before they get him completely subdued. He's calling all zomboni dogs! Jon sends Gendry ahead back to the Wall to get a message to Daenerys about what is happening. The follow soon after, but the zombi hordes are faster than they are and they get surrounded on a little island in the middle of a frozen lake. It takes another poor Wildling bringing up the rear to die because the hordes swarm him on the ice and they all fall through. (RIP Wildling #2). And so the stand off begins. Zombonies never got swiming lessons and they die by fire. There version of rock and a hard place. Gendry gets as far as the dead bear while this is happening. Good diversion guys. Night falls, no buddy is wearing hats but still seem to be able to feel their extremities. (this IS a fantasy after all). Gendry has kept up his pace, but he trips and falls and can't get up. No Worries. He's right outside the gate. They come out and get him 'cuz they were watching at the wall! Morning dawns at the island of scant refuge and we learn (RIP Thoros of Myr). Beric lights his sword. Jon keeps Clegane from drinking the rest of Thoros' alcohol and dumps it on Thoros. At least they won't have to fight againt him. Discussion on the meaning of the zombonies self distructing when Jon killed the WW and Jorah suggests they concentrate on the WW to gain a bit of advantage. Jon vetos this idea because they have to bring their captive zomboni back in mint condition. Beric suggest they only need to concentrate on HIM, pointing to the Night King at the top of the hill and saying “He's the one that created them all!” (when did he learn that?) Jon doesn't understand and Beric explains that the LoL (and Mel) brought the two of them back for a reason. But like all good oracles, he's not quite believable and Jon not buying it. Winterfell – opens with the maester delivering a letter to Sansa. An invitation to King's Landing (we KNOW what it says. We saw this in Season One). But, Sansa sends Brienne instead of going herself. (with 20/20 hindsight, and the recent scene where Littlefinger points out that Brienne would be forces to intervene if it looked like one sister was going to harm the other, this action make a lot of sense. Although it didn't upon 1st viewing). Dragonstone – very brief scene where Dany gets on her dragons and against Tyions frantic pleas rides off into the rising sun. (so to speak) Beyond the Wall – Good old Clegane lets his temper get the best of him and throws stones at the silent zombonies at the lake's edge. The second stone – a big one – alerts them that the ice is once again frozen! D'oh! Let the battle commence. (I hate CGI zomboni battles) I'll let you imagine the details, but I think we got to see (Rip Wildling #3) bite the dust early in this battle. Good thing they volunteered or it would have had to be another character who we know something about. Also of note? A zomboni, who fell into the water via a hole Clegane created with his hammer, emerged again to try to drag Tormund in. Guess water just slows them down but doesn't actually stop them. AND another (RIP Wildling #4) bites the dust while trying to help Jon drag “our captive zomboni” away from the rest of the zombonies. He gets to scream in agony at least. Dany & the Dragons arrive just in time to liven up a flagging party (of bedraggled fighters). He refuses Danys proffered hand to fight off a zombonie – or just to create tension – and the Night King readies his Ice Spear (aptly named for whatever the Ice equivanlent of Scorpion is... NOT... but it should be). Everybody else gets on Drogon but just enough zombonies attack Jon to keeping from climbing aboard which gives the Night King time to take aim and bring down Viseryon (RIP yellow tinged one). After a brief view of Dany's gutted face the jump right to Viseryon sinking into the lake infront of the stunned faces on the Drogon bus. But now is not the time for mourning. Jon and the Night King have a staring match until Jon sees another spear being readies by a WW minion. He yells to Dany to go and gets knocked into a hole in the lake by a couple of zombonies and doesn't come up. Dany does the right thing and gets Drogon to fly away. Jon, like a bedraggled cat, emerges from the water after everyone (WW and Dragonsand cargo at least) have gone. He puts his wet face on the ice and it doesn't stick! (that's going too far to suspend disbelief). Then the remaining zombonies converge on his (he's a sitting duck) but!!!! Deux Ex Benjen arrives on a horse, swinging a ball of fire and swaps places with Jon. Uncle Benjen IS THE BEST STARK. At Eastwatch – (I believe). Dany and Jorah stand on top of the Wall looking intently North of the Wall while Drogon flys about sounding for all the world like he is keening the loss of his brother. Jorah reluctantly reminds Dany that they have to go. After a minute she turns to leave but Jorah is struck dumb by what his sees. Jon riding up to the gate. On the boat that will take them back to Dragonstone Dany gets to see all of Jon's stab wounds as Davos (and somebody) get his frozen clothes off him and settle him in a warm bed. At Winterfell – tension ramps up. Sansa searches Arya's room and in seconds finds her bag of “faces”. Arya appears behind her and in a very menacing way answers Sansa's nervous questions. Not so subtly implying that she could add Sansa's face to her collection whenever she wants. But not today, so she walks out. Sibling rivalry and them some. On a ship bound for Dragonstone – Jon awakes. Dany is there. Jon apologizes for causing the loss of one of Dany's children and calls her “Dany”. She laughs at that but claims the last person to call her that was Viserys and he wouldn't want to be in that company. He calls her my Queen. She humbly accepts the honour and hope she lives up to his trust. They do a lot of meaningful staring. She leaves, he tries to sleep. North of the Wall – Last scene – The Night King drags Viseryon from the lake and with a touch makes his own dragon weapon. (muh-ha-ha)