S06.E04: Book of the Stranger

[Meredith Quill]

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Episode Synopsis: 

Spoiler

Tyrion strikes a deal. Jorah and Daario undertake a difficult task. Jaime and Cersei try to improve their situation.

Spoiler tagged until the episode airs.

[90PercentGravity]

Wow,  loved this one. 

 

I guess the theme was family reuniting. Our maybe just reuniting in general. 

So sad about Osha. She was one of my favorites. Ramsey will get his eventually, just like Jeffrey, Stannis, and annoying Targ brother whose name I totally forgot. 

I guess Danny added another title to her name. 

Does Robin remind anyone of Barry Manilow? 

Edited May 16, 2016 by 90PercentGravity

[gingerella]

So, uh, *that* happened...whoa! In no particular order:

Osha, RIP girl.  I feel like she should have lasted longer than that so I smell show runner bullshit with her early demise, but nonetheless, I will miss her.

I didn't think Sansa & crew would make it to the Wall so quickly so yeah for A Show advancing the storyline on that. I was overcome with YESSSSSSness when Sansa and Jon embraced in the courtyard. It was so bittersweet hearing them talk about their childhood together.  If only Ned had declined Roberts marriage to Joff plan, though I'm not sure if that would even have been possible.  Annyway, I don't have a good feeling about this fighting against Bolton's men.  I also don't trust LF as far as I could throw him, and he's playing Robin like a fiddle. Robin is still a halfwit inbred nut bar so that can't end well unless someone else throws him through the moon window. Hey, A Viewer can only wish right?

I assume that Jon and Sansa will need to rally the banner men of the North, but how to do that without getting past or around Winterfell? Also, I am now doubting the motives of that Umber dude. We had been spitballing that he was in cahoots with taking back Winterfell but seeing Osha get killed immediately, makes me feel like he should be taken at his word, he doesn't give a shit about the Starks anymore. I am at a loss for who would fight for House Stark now, any guesses?

Not sure about Tyrions storyline right now...I feel like he could be in danger playing games of political intrigue with these slavers. Something in my hunky radar was pinging the entire time of that negotiation scene. anyone else?

The whole Cersei thing bores me now, she is a bitch, she thinks she is The Queen, I get it Show, enough already. I mean, if they are gearing up for a trial by combat between the Mountainstein and Tommen, BORING.  I don't want to watch Tommen get squashed like a bug.  Then again, I also was suspicious of the Loras/ Marg scene. Will she agree to the walk of shame to save Loras? or will Loras somehow screw things up because he is desperate and broken now? Marg looked very Very worried as that scene cut away.

Lastly, Dany is one shrewd khaleesi! I figured that was going to happen when she saw Jorah, but still, what a great scene. So now she is Daenarys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons *and* The Great Mare (just making that up)...you go girl!

[Pallas]

That was thrilling. A Show didn't dick us around about whether Jon had left Castle Black before Sansa arrived -- and it could have; most often, would have. A Show still had a knife up its sleeve (like Daario), but first, it gave us the first Stark reunion since Catelyn saw Ned at King's Landing.  

"We make peace with our enemies." That great scene between Davos, Brienne and Melisandre, who Brienne inadvertently spared by interrupting her answer about Shireen. Tyrion with the Slaver's Bay masters; Littlefinger with everyone not Littlefinger; the Lannisters with the Tyrells. The armies of the Vale may join forces with Jon's army of Free Folk, plus the families of the North: flay that, Ramsay. Cersei's plan must be for the Tyrell armies to defeat the Faith Militant, then for the stood-down Lannister armies to stand back up and take on the Tyrells.

Dany didn't lead a widow-Khaleesi rebellion; she was the rebellion. Not sure how Jorah and Daario managed to bar the doors, or why the hall was more flammable than a Christmas tree on Groundhog's Day...and never mind. Dany's closed the circle on Varys's old plan.

[gingerella]

Pallas, can you please spoon feed me about that Varys plan? I love your comment but don't remember where it cometh from. Thanks spitball homie...

ETA: Just thinking aloud...right now, Sansa and Jon know that Rickon is alive in rAmsey's dungeon. And they both know Robb is dead. IIRC, they still do not know if Bran is alive, nor if Arya is alive, is that correct?  If so, I wonder if as they move South towards Winterfell and perhaps south of that even, they might run into Arya's old pal, Chubsy the baker boy, if they did they would learn Arya was last seen alive too. I want the Stark kids to prevail so badly. 

Edited May 16, 2016 by gingerella

[90PercentGravity]

I assume Jorah and Daario decked the halls with gasoline (or the Essos equivalent). Not sure why that Kahls didn't smell it. 

[Anothermi]

Lucky week to have the night off. On time viewing! What a treat!
A few things stood out for me... after 5 seasons of Starks just missing each other it was so rewarding to be able to see Sansa and Jon together. <pause; rewind>

Both look older and wiser, and both ARE. But reversed. Sansa is the strong one and Jon is the one trying to find his way. Good old Ramsey. Great motivational speaker. If ever a letter was designed to strengthen an enemy's resolve? His was.

And YAY! SANSA! Bad ass women episode. Right ON. Go Sansa, Go Brienne, Go Dany!

The whole episode showed the importance of all that went before as far as life experience is concerned:

Jaime and Cersei - seem to be a bit more on their Father's level of scheming. It makes me worried about Lady Olena and Lancel Lannister.  And I don't see Tommen accepting the Sparrow "Champion" position at this point.

Dany - now HERE is where inflammability is a REAL asset. She is also getting a grip on strategy.

Sansa - don't omit the important bits. She knew it was important to read all of what Ramsey had to say. She didn't endure all that misery for nothing. Plus, she's now the repeat of Ned in terms of avenging the family. (er, not quite the next-gen breaking of the wheel, though, at this point).

Theon - now a real boy! despite lacking the "boy" bits. Real and There. Never liked him until now. Not that he's on a good side. Just that he's on his side. He's now himself, for realz. 

Little Finger - still knows where the right place to be is. At least - for a brief period - he may side with the Starks. Poor old/young Lord Robin Aryn ... looking very ill. Will he fly before he dies?

Tyrells - not feeling confident about their survival. Cersei seems back on track.

 

On a personal note, I loved that the High Sparrow echoed what I said last episode: "... it was all part of a story, a story I was telling myself about who I was. A collection of lies that would disappear in the light."  I still think that is what Bran's journey is about - with a different conclusion perhaps.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Anothermi

[Anothermi]

So...

As you all my know, I sometimes have difficulty relating the episode title with the episode content. THIS is one of those episodes.

I managed to remember that "The Stranger" is one of the Seven New Gods. But...

We don't know anything about "the Stranger".

... and it seems he may owe the library something? Or somebody does?

[Llywela]

1 hour ago, gingerella said:

Pallas, can you please spoon feed me about that Varys plan? I love your comment but don't remember where it cometh from. Thanks spitball homie...

ETA: Just thinking aloud...right now, Sansa and Jon know that Rickon is alive in rAmsey's dungeon. And they both know Robb is dead. IIRC, they still do not know if Bran is alive, nor if Arya is alive, is that correct?  If so, I wonder if as they move South towards Winterfell and perhaps south of that even, they might run into Arya's old pal, Chubsy the baker boy, if they did they would learn Arya was last seen alive too. I want the Stark kids to prevail so badly. 

Sansa knows that Arya is alive because Brienne met her...I wanted to say last season, but damn, it was the season before! But she knows Arya was alive as of that meeting, and is out in the wind somewhere.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Llywela

[ChocButterfly]

When Sansa appeared on that door, I literally screamed: "YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". Finally, some Stark sibling find each other! and just in time before Jon had left. I'm thankful they didn't drag that out. I'm positive Jon will take Winterfell back. This is what Melissandre saw in the flames. Is Littlefinger going to help them with the army of the Vale? Probably, it suits his interests for the moment. Thank Ramsey for that note, wihtout it Jon wouldn't want to take on him! Heh, idiot! I'm so sad we lost Osha, I didn't expect that. But I'm thankful it was quick and she didnt'suffer much.

I'm not sure why you guys think Tommen will fight Mounstanstain. Since when does the King actually fight his battles? Why would the Sparrow name him as his champion?? And specially Tommen, why would he accept or name himself as champion? None of that makes sense, everyone knows he can't fight. Even if the Sparrow wants him dead (which wouldn't make sense, since he could win him as an ally) the King does not take on others's causes, he's the Observer of these things, not a mere peon to fight his own battles. He could choose a champion, no way it's him. 

That said, of course he's going to die, but not that way, it doesn't make sense.

Tyrion is playing a dangerous game. Not sure he has another alternative, though. There isn't much he can do. 

[DirewolfPup]

We got a Stark reunion. Stop it! I'm not crying...

The closest we had to a reunion was Bran seeing Jon Snow fighting at Craster's Keep. I do love that weird dinner scene. Sansa is a force to be reckoned with!  Tormund making googly eyes at Brienne. How in the world did we not see that pairing? It's amazingly perfect. Poor Brienne, she didn't know what in the world was going on.

Rickon has another episode before we start seeing him get torn to pieces. RIP Osha. You protected the little lord very well for as long as you could.

Miss Dany has to have her heroic god moment every season. Season 6? Check! As soon as I knew what was going down, I couldn't help thinking why she hasn't used her fire-proofing in the past. I guess the situation didn't call for it.

Also, the place erupted in flames because it's made out of dry wood and dry grasses. Those are the very definition of flammable.

[gingerella]

3 hours ago, ChocButterfly said:

I'm positive Jon will take Winterfell back. This is what Melissandre saw in the flames. Is Littlefinger going to help them with the army of the Vale? Probably, it suits his interests for the moment.

This is starting to really worry A Viewer. Why? Because something in my head pinged when LF told Robyn that Sansa had left Ramsey. Sure, Robyn searched his inbred little peabrain and said, "she's my cousin...we should help her?" But in this world cousins marry cousins...and you all know where I'm going with this right? Jon and Sansa ask LF for help to defeat Ramsey and LF of course cant help using that as a bargaining chip - he will give them the Army of the Vale if Sansa marries Robyn.  I know this is heading in this direction and I want to vomit on A Show if it does. NO MORE SHITTY PAIRINGS FOR SANSA, SHOW! I cant take any more of her being abused.  Of course, if she sends Robyn on a flying trip on their wedding night I'd be okay with that...maybe she could pull that off now that she's grown some cajones?

4 hours ago, ChocButterfly said:

I'm not sure why you guys think Tommen will fight Mounstanstain. Since when does the King actually fight his battles? Why would the Sparrow name him as his champion?? And specially Tommen, why would he accept or name himself as champion? None of that makes sense, everyone knows he can't fight. Even if the Sparrow wants him dead (which wouldn't make sense, since he could win him as an ally) the King does not take on others's causes, he's the Observer of these things, not a mere peon to fight his own battles. He could choose a champion, no way it's him. 

Someone amongst us thought up this spitball and I think it could happen if only to play out Cersei's prophesy from girlhood when the witch told her she's have 3 kids and lose them all. Maybe she loses Tommen in another way, not so literally as the other two. Perhaps he does turn on her and side with the Sparrow?  Maybe he is the one who turns her back over to the Sparrow. Maybe he exchanges her for Margery, whom he appears to have genuine feeling for...

3 hours ago, DirewolfPup said:

I do love that weird dinner scene. Sansa is a force to be reckoned with!  Tormund making googly eyes at Brienne. How in the world did we not see that pairing? It's amazingly perfect. Poor Brienne, she didn't know what in the world was going on.

That? Was one of the funniest scenes A Show has ever given us! I was cracking up at Tormund when he was checking Brienne out as she rode into the courtyard, but the dinner scene was off the hook funny. That's a match made in alternate universe heaven!

[Llywela]

10 hours ago, Anothermi said:

So...

As you all my know, I sometimes have difficulty relating the episode title with the episode content. THIS is one of those episodes.

I managed to remember that "The Stranger" is one of the Seven New Gods. But...

The Book of the Stranger was name-checked during Margaery's conversation with the High Sparrow, referenced I think as one of the Scriptures of the Seven read to Margaery frequently during her incarceration - she recognised a verse quoted and was able to give the exact reference.

49 minutes ago, gingerella said:

This is starting to really worry A Viewer. Why? Because something in my head pinged when LF told Robyn that Sansa had left Ramsey. Sure, Robyn searched his inbred little peabrain and said, "she's my cousin...we should help her?" But in this world cousins marry cousins...and you all know where I'm going with this right? Jon and Sansa ask LF for help to defeat Ramsey and LF of course cant help using that as a bargaining chip - he will give them the Army of the Vale if Sansa marries Robyn.  I know this is heading in this direction and I want to vomit on A Show if it does. NO MORE SHITTY PAIRINGS FOR SANSA, SHOW! I cant take any more of her being abused.  Of course, if she sends Robyn on a flying trip on their wedding night I'd be okay with that...maybe she could pull that off now that she's grown some cajones?

I don't think Littlefinger and Robin know that Sansa has escaped from Ramsay - Robin 'came up with' the idea of helping after Littlefinger gave his sob story about being ambushed and having Sansa stolen from him, iirc, all carefully designed to motivate the men of the Vale to muster an army to take Winterfell from Ramsay, which was no doubt Littlefinger's plan all along.

I think my favourite thing about this show is that it's so vast and sprawling and has all these characters running around inside completely separate storylines, but every now and then some of those characters who've never interacted suddenly come together and form entirely new sub-plots and bounce off each other in unpredictable directions. I mean, Jon's always been in his own storyline, and Sansa's always been in her own storyline. Brienne was part of Cat's storyline and then part of Jaime's storyline, while Pod was in Tyrion's storyline - and Sansa was also in Tyrion's storyline for a while, but never had anything to do with Pod. And meanwhile Davos and Melisandre were always off in Stannis's storyline, and only intersected with Brienne tangentially. And then suddenly here they all are together, forming an entirely new sub-plot! Looking forward to finding out where they all go next.

Osha's death didn't surprise me, but it did sadden me. She tried. She's been so loyal for so long now, when no one could have expected it of her, given her origins and initial treatment by the Starks. But in spite of it all she did so much and gave so much, all for the sake of her beloved little lords. Poor Osha. And poor Rickon.

Jon and Sansa made me cry. And damn but it's so good to see how strong and resolute Sansa is, now that she has solid ground beneath her feet again, people around her that she can trust and depend on, and be open and honest with - her inner steel shining through.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Llywela

[Anothermi]

5 hours ago, Llywela said:

The Book of the Stranger was name-checked during Margaery's conversation with the High Sparrow, referenced I think as one of the Scriptures of the Seven read to Margaery frequently during her incarceration - she recognised a verse quoted and was able to give the exact reference.

Thankyou, Llywela. I did see that, and then promptly forgot about it in my pleasure at having my thoughts come back at me in the show. (It was right after that quote that the High Sparrow related his story of 'awakening'.)

Guess I'm liking the Stranger because, yanno... "great minds think alike" - or not - as there is no proof the Stranger has/had a great mind and even I question if I have. ;-)

[gingerella]

6 hours ago, Llywela said:

I don't think Littlefinger and Robin know that Sansa has escaped from Ramsay

I thought LF told Robyn that Sansa had escaped from Ramsey and needed their help, I must re watch that.

6 hours ago, Llywela said:

I think my favourite thing about this show is that it's so vast and sprawling and has all these characters running around inside completely separate storylines, but every now and then some of those characters who've never interacted suddenly come together and form entirely new sub-plots and bounce off each other in unpredictable directions. I mean, Jon's always been in his own storyline, and Sansa's always been in her own storyline. Brienne was part of Cat's storyline and then part of Jaime's storyline, while Pod was in Tyrion's storyline - and Sansa was also in Tyrion's storyline for a while, but never had anything to do with Pod. And meanwhile Davos and Melisandre were always off in Stannis's storyline, and only intersected with Brienne tangentially. And then suddenly here they all are together, forming an entirely new sub-plot! Looking forward to finding out where they all go next.

This, times 1000!

[janjan]

Quote

90%: I assume Jorah and Daario decked the halls with gasoline (or the Essos equivalent). Not sure why that Kahls didn't smell it. 

The torch lamps in the Dothraki temple were full of some flammable liquid, which ran all over the place when Dany dumped it. (Hmmm, if it's so runny, why didn't it all burn up in a few minute in the lamp?) Whatever. Who was the body outside the barred door? At first I thought that was the Kahleesi in cahoots with Dany -- the one Dany asked to help her when they went out to pee -- but then that one appeared in the crowd with the older widow. So who was the body by the door and what had she been doing there?

So now Dany has a Dothraki army. But no ships. She's gotta get busy with the ships, since Mereen is getting boring. Except for the dragons. More dragons, please.

Everybody looks older, which of course they are. It's most obvious with Bran and Rickon, but also visible with Dany and Yara. 

RIP Osha. I was so sure Ramsay had met his match, but 'twas not to be. <sniff>

I hope we get to see Tormund's idea of courting. He's a great match for Brienne. If they don't both get killed storming Winterfell.

[Pallas]

So that was five years in coming.

Quote

Pallas, can you please spoon feed me about that Varys plan?

The original plan of Varys and Illyrio, aka The Wedding Planner. Shelter Dany and Viscerys until she was old enough to be sold in marriage to Drogo, who would promise in return to lend his armies to Viscerys for an invasion of the Seven Kingdoms. Viscerys was a bust (sorry), but Dany proved capable of inspiring Drogo to adopt the plan of behalf of her and their unborn Stallion Who Mounts the World. Now Dany has advanced back to Square One, with all the Dothraki, two armies and three dragons calling her Khaleesi, Queen or Mom. 

13 hours ago, ChocButterfly said:

'm not sure why you guys think Tommen will fight Mounstanstain. Since when does the King actually fight his battles? Why would the Sparrow name him as his champion??

I was the guy! And probably way wrong. But as soon as Cersei murmured about "a trial by combat" with The Mountain as her champion, I tried to think of how that could ruin her. Because I'm convinced that the resurrection of The Mountain will be part of her undoing: he's been the Lannisters' hellhound since Robert's Rebellion, wreaking their worst. The monster behind their fair-haired faces. For him to return now, even more monstrous -- after killing Oberyn in the name of convicting Tyrion, a Lannister  -- seems to me to be a set-up for a come-uppance. 

So who could defeat him in combat? No one. So how to defeat him in combat? Name a willing champion Cersei would never allow him to face. I thought the Sparrow could persuade Tommen that this was the the right course, and that his faith would prevail. That Tommen could prove himself the true king, and a good king. Cersei would then be forced to forfeit. But now it seems that Cersei isn't going to mess around with any trials. No allowing the High Sparrow to appoint a Seventh Septon in the last year of his term...

13 hours ago, DirewolfPup said:

Also, the place erupted in flames because it's made out of dry wood and dry grasses.

Was it grasses spread on the ground? It looked like sand to me: that's why I wondered why the flames raced over the ground to the wall. Oh. Maybe the cauldrons were burning oil. Dany tipped the cauldrons, the oil spilt and the flames followed?

9 hours ago, gingerella said:

But in this world cousins marry cousins...and you all know where I'm going with this right? Jon and Sansa ask LF for help to defeat Ramsey and LF of course cant help using that as a bargaining chip - he will give them the Army of the Vale if Sansa marries Robyn

If it helps? -- I think Littlefinger may be beyond needing Sansa to marry his surrogates. He has Cersei's blessing to take on the Boltons, take over Winterfell and become Warden of the North. Once Robyn's armies defeat Ramsay, he probably imagines, he can then call for Sansa at Castle Black and marry her himself. He doesn't know that of the male Stark heirs, Rickon (at least) is alive (at least for now) -- nor does he know that Jon Snow is a free lance.  

9 hours ago, gingerella said:

Maybe she loses Tommen in another way, not so literally as the other two..

I love your idea that Tommen betrays Cersei, but..."Three children...Gold their crowns; gold their shrouds." I think Tommen will be the one that Cersei's actions -- and only Cersei's -- kill directly. 

2 hours ago, gingerella said:

I thought LF told Robyn that Sansa had escaped from Ramsey and needed their help, I must re watch that.

He did. Littlefinger added that Sansa would go to Castle Black. 

If Cersei's plan is to use the Tyrells to defeat the Faith, then use the Lannister army to defeat the Tyrells, how does this plan go awry? I'm sure it must: nothing about Cersei says she will prevail.

On 5/16/2016 at 10:06 PM, 90PercentGravity said:

Does Robin remind anyone of Barry Manilow? 

Littlefinger.

Edited May 17, 2016 by Pallas

[Llywela]

2 hours ago, janjan said:

The torch lamps in the Dothraki temple were full of some flammable liquid, which ran all over the place when Dany dumped it. (Hmmm, if it's so runny, why didn't it all burn up in a few minute in the lamp?) Whatever. Who was the body outside the barred door? At first I thought that was the Kahleesi in cahoots with Dany -- the one Dany asked to help her when they went out to pee -- but then that one appeared in the crowd with the older widow. So who was the body by the door and what had she been doing there?

I thought it was a couple of Dothraki guards lying dead outside - throats slit by Dario's forbidden knife so that he and Jorah could bar the doors unhindered, preventing anyone from escaping Dany's Inferno.

2 hours ago, Pallas said:

He did. Littlefinger added that Sansa would go to Castle Black.

Then I was misremembering - in my defence, Littlefinger talked a lot in that scene!

[janjan]

Can we have two coveted Pun of the Year Awards? Pallas wins with "Jon Snow is a free lance." Hee!

[DirewolfPup]

I definitely feel like I should watch the last two episodes again. A lot of nuance and talking in the last episodes that could really change my viewpoints the more I watch them.

[Pallas]

16 hours ago, Llywela said:

Then I was misremembering - in my defence, Littlefinger talked a lot in that scene!

Heh! And it's interesting that for once -- not knowing about the Stark boys or Jon's manumission -- Littlefinger is less well-informed than his opponents. Maybe the less he knows, the more he talks.

"The rarest" falcon. What makes me think of Joffrey's crossbow, with its lion insignia?

[gingerella]

Robyn Aryn should die as soon as possible. He is a total idiot, but with enough brains to be dangerous to others. I wish he would try to fly...I fear he will get good folks killed, like that guy who was saddled with the dubious job of trying to teach a halfwit how to shoot a bow and arrow. That dude, I suspect, would be a good allie to the Starks if allowed to make his own decision, but instead he is now under the thumb of LF, and in a sense Robyn because LF could always defer to Robyn' default "make them fly" nonsense. He is one of the characters I wish to eliminate. Quickly, and this season. There, I said it.

[Llywela]

7 hours ago, Pallas said:

Heh! And it's interesting that for once -- not knowing about the Stark boys or Jon's manumission -- Littlefinger is less well-informed than his opponents. Maybe the less he knows, the more he talks.

Yet having said all that, it was fascinating to watch him at work in that scene, so carefully corralling both Robin and his unfortunate guardian into agreeing with what he wanted to do, without ever actually coming out and saying what he wanted to do - prodding Robin into suggesting it himself, entrapping the other so that he had no option but to agree. A master at work, yet his strategy has rarely before been so laid bare for us all to see.

I agree with Gingerella that Robin is dangerous and needs to die (or be otherwise de-fanged) - yet when sparingly used his kind of character can add a lot of unpredictability to this kind of story. Maybe Robin will live long enough to make Littlefinger fly, just when our actual heroes need to get rid of him, because damn but that man is a whole other kind of dangerous - and maybe Littlefinger will take Robin down with him!

I'm looking forward now to seeing the combined forces of the Vale and the Wildlings take Ramsay down - I just hope nothing happens to either party en route, which would absolutely be A Show's style.

[gingerella]

I hear you Llywela!

So just because I am rather dense at times, or...A Show overwhelms with a myriad of story lines the likes of Sheharazadh, is the reason LF wants the Army of the Vale to "help" Sansa and Jon re take Winterfell simply so he can turn around and kill Jon and re take it for himself? God, I am also so tired of LF...seriously.  I suddenly want him done too. actually, I would like all Sansa's abusers to die on one season.That would be satisfying as hell!

[Llywela]

2 hours ago, gingerella said:

So just because I am rather dense at times, or...A Show overwhelms with a myriad of story lines the likes of Sheharazadh, is the reason LF wants the Army of the Vale to "help" Sansa and Jon re take Winterfell simply so he can turn around and kill Jon and re take it for himself?

I think so. It's just my reading of him, so probably classes as a spitball more than anything, but Littlefinger is all about accumulating power and prestige, right? He always plays the long game. And he harbours a deep dark resentment of the Starks because he was spurned by Cat (iirc?). So it figures that having first taken control of the Vale (and got rid of Lysa, because Robin is easier to steer and control), he'd set his sights on Winterfell, which would surely represent the pinacle of success to him - to take Ned's place as Warden of the North. Littlefinger likes to set things in motion and then watch how it falls out before making his next move, but he always capitalises on whatever happens, and he's very good at riding the storm to his own advantage. He gave Sansa to Ramsay, and as a direct result he now has the armies of the Vale committed to marching on Winterfell, when they'd always stayed out of the fighting up till now - that has to be deliberate. He couldn't have predicted Sansa's escape, but he has to have known that placing her in such a predicament (and presenting it as abduction) would be a valuable tool in motivating the Vale to war. Attaining Winterfell for himself, whether by violence or by stealth (he used both to get the Vale, after all), has to be the goal, surely.

Edited May 18, 2016 by Llywela

[janjan]

Very convincing, Llywela. LF wants power -- remember Varys saying [paraphrasing] "He would burn the place down if he could be king of the ashes." If he married Sansa himself, he wouldn't see Jon as an obstacle to claiming Winterfell, at least not at first, since Jon is a bastard. The real obstacle is Rickon (at least as long as Bran is among the missing), whom Ramsay mocked as "Lord Stark." Of course Jon would defend Rickon (he's so predictable that way). So, assuming they do oust the Boltons, the Battle in the North would be Jon vs. LF. At least until the WWs get there.

[Pallas]

Last season -- after effecting Sansa's marriage to Ramsay, but before it took place -- Littlefinger left Sansa in the crypt at Winterfell and answered Cersei's summons to King's Landing. Once there he caught her up with how the Boltons had triple-crossed their Queen: sheltered the fugitive girl and married her off to their heir, betraying their alliance with the Lannisters, on the heels of their betrayal of the Starks. 

Cersei chewed glass and threatened an invasion of the North. Littlefinger countered with the suggestion that he mobilize the armies of the Vale and handle the situation for her -- at no loss to the Lannister armies -- in return for being named the new Warden of the North. Cersei agreed.

With time on his hands while his horses were tacked up, Littlefinger then betrayed Loras, Margaery and Cersei to the Sparrow (naming both Olivier-the-brothelkeeper and Lancel Lannister as witnesses), before meeting with Olenna to (1) renew their mutual assured destruction pact around Joffrey's assassination, and (2) assure her that Cersei was going down.  

Along the way back up north, he learned that Sansa had escaped Ramsay, and correctly guessed that she would head to Jon.  What he may or may not know -- since Ramsay does, courtesy of Young Umber -- is that Jon has a company of Free Folk under his protection. What neither Littlefinger nor Ramsay know is that Jon is re-booted, and ready to lead an army of 2,000 fighters to reclaim Winterfell himself.

[gingerella]

Damn fine recap of the LF goings on Pallas, thank you!  LF is one busy bee, isn't he?

[Pallas]

36 minutes ago, gingerella said:

  LF is one busy bee, isn't he?

"Floats like a mockingbird, stings like a bee.."  Oh! And while loitering in King's Landing or somewhere on the road, Littlefinger also had the happy thought of Robyn's birthday present, and followed through! Just watch out, Robyn, the first time you see your Uncle Petyr pull on a leather glove. It may be the last thing you ever see. 

[Llywela]

Pallas, I bow in awe of your excellent memory! I knew I should have re-watched season five before embarking on this year's voyage.

[gingerella]

3 hours ago, Pallas said:

"Floats like a mockingbird, stings like a bee.."  Oh! And while loitering in King's Landing or somewhere on the road, Littlefinger also had the happy thought of Robyn's birthday present, and followed through! Just watch out, Robyn, the first time you see your Uncle Petyr pull on a leather glove. It may be the last thing you ever see. 

Oh my! I can totally see that bird being Robyn's undoing now...LF tires of him and when it's time to do him in, something happens and the bird gets let loose and Robyn runs after it trying to catch it and well, he chases it without looking and learns to fly...hey, From A Viewer's lips to A Show's ears...

[abcfsk]

Wow, that scene with Sansa meeting Jon hit me. 

There's nothing special about the execution - no words, expected melancholy music, two people long separated looking at each other. Wasn't drawn out or artsy fartsy. But here's a show that gives us so little. It's "Cynicism - The Show". So the power of a simple meeting between two family members who'd been apart for so long, suffered so much, and wanted to see a friendly face - -it was amplified to the extreme. It was like all the ugly shit we've seen was worth it for these few seconds. Not that the story will necessarily turn better for them. Not that we'll necessarily get a happy ending. But all of us felt the healing powers of those emotions. 

Also loved Sansa's assured arguments with Jon. She's grown into someone who trusts herself, if no one else.

(Oh hello. It's been.. a year? Last season simply did not get me going, I sort of trudged through it, half-awake. It's not that it was horrible - it just sort of was, and maybe I wasn't in the right state of mind either, and so it became same old same old. I had little to contribute. But this got me wanting to check in with my old unsullied teammates). 

This season has been better! I binge watched the first four episodes the past week, and then I read all of your great words and applauded inwardly at how you've looked at the larger picture of the season and the lessons the characters learn, and we learn about the characters. It almost seems GOT is a meta-tale of the epic stories and myths, out to subvert and comment on the tropes we cling to in fiction and in life. )

[Anothermi]

Relieved and grateful Welcome Home, abcfsk! Glad you made it through the hordes of Bookwalkers lurching through the long off season. Here's a mug of Castle Black ale. (we're in need of a better brewer)

Beautiful description of the Sansa meets up with Jon scene. It resonates with me. Looking forward to future speculations with you.

[Anothermi]

Doing a re-watch (my watch has not ended) of the last two episodes. They are sure packing a lot into this season.

I kind of glossed over the Davos/Melissandre/Brienne scene. It contains a lot of possible directions it could go. Davos clearly did not know what happened to Shireen (thanks to all those who put me right a few episodes back - but it's good for me to have it re-iterated). He still doesn't know. He has been forgiving of Melissandre's actions in the past, but he is not comfortable with her complete abandonment of Stannis. Not sure what will happen when he learns about Shireen!

Brienne is antagonistic towards Melissandre (for good reason) and will be watching her like a hawk.

Davos may have some trouble letting go of the fact that Brienne executed the one man he respected and was absolutely loyal to - even though he knows she had a good reason for it. If these three have to work together without someone to direct them to (for the greater good)... it's not going to go smoothly.

Also, Castle Black is completely unequipped to fight off anything. It seems since Maester Aemon died, Sam left and Jon died and resurrected, there have been no raven-grams received at Castle Black. Sansa spoke of taking Winterfell back from Roose (at the beginning of the episode), yet Ramsey told Winterfell's poor Maester to send word around the north that Roose had been killed by "his enemies". Castle Black is normally on the list. They are beyond isolated and ignorance never really was bliss. Edd has nothing to look forward to but the worst, for realz, whether he takes command or not.

I don't understand quite how the raven-gram system broke down, but I suppose all "civilized" systems tend to break down during wars. At least the old pony express method still gets through - giving Sansa the motivational tool she needed to get both Jon and the Wildlings onside.

---------------------------

We did get a cliff-hanger of a sort in the later part of this episode. King Tommen was about to tell his mother something the High Sparrow told him (and swore him not to tell anyone else), but Cersei couldn't keep herself from spewing a wee bit of venom and the scene ended before he told (us). The next scene was Cersei and Jaime meeting with Lady Olenna and Kevan the Hand. Cersei... yes, I have to repeat it... Cersei, reminded them all that the High Sparrow had counted on them fighting among themselves and she and Jaime proposed a plan to (ostensibly) save Margery from the walk of shame and take down the Sparrows. The most important part of that conversation - to me - was that the ominous strains of the Rains of Castermere played at the end when Lady Olenna agreed to the plan. I'm preparing my black armband for her - and the rest of her family.

---------------------

We got two more call-back-to-season-one scenes as well. One, of course, was Dany emerging from the fire unscathed and without the additional shock value of the dragonettes. I see that as confirming that she is now ready to act on her quest to retake Westeros.

But Theon's return home, broken and contrite, reminded me at least, of his Season One arrival when he was so cocky (I know it's hard to be cocky when you've not got one, but I'm not trying to being literal here) and molested his sister because he was too self absorbed to recognize her. I remember spit-balling about Theon's emotional journey over the course of this story (back on TWoP) and it's been surprisingly close - if not at all how I might have imagined it coming to pass. I don't think Yara has any interest in being anything but Queen of the Iron Islands. His Uncle, however, could once again mess up Theon's Stark/Greyjoy loyalties.

[gingerella]

Aye and hail to abcfsk, welcome back to the Spitball Wall my unsullied comrade! We have missed your voice! Our numbers are re emerging from hiding since S5...hear, hear!

anothermi, I am loving your hypotheses right now.  And abcfsk, thank you for distilling that Sansa and Jon scene into a crystalline elixir of hope...fleeing as it may be with A Show, hope it is...

Edited May 22, 2016 by gingerella

[janjan]

Yay abcfsk. Hey - you don't have to drink the Castle Black ale; our Spitball Grog is a lot better! With a side of participles to keep us literate (thanks, Pallas).

When the first rescue party reached the Donner Party's winter camp, they thought at first there was no one there. But then a head popped up through the tunnel leading down to a shack buried under the 20-ft snow. Then another. then another. It feels like that here at the Spitball Wall as our beloved companions re-emerge. Welcome, and may more of us reunite.

If you were following us during S5, you'd see that most agreed with your assessment of it -- even though this weakest of GoT seasons finally won the Emmy for Best Drama. Go figure. We lost White Stumbler, who decided that A Show had devolved into mere torture porn. 

But S6 is a powerhouse so far.  So much to chew over now that there's finally some plot development! Maybe even WS will reconsider and come back. We've lost Shimpy to the Book Brigade, but I hope she's here in spirit.

[abcfsk]

Thanks! I'm in no danger of falling to the temptations of the Book Brigade, and so far this season seems to keep me engaged. I wasn't so much angry at torture as bored of it, among other things, existing for no very good reason. But hey, every show has its weak season. 

Glad to see many familiar faces indeed.