Episode 610, “The Winds of Winter,” was a great watch. First, there are three new monarchs now, and one cannot deny the possibility of a fourth one, Euron Greyjoy. Furthermore, the episode reveals the confirmation of the most popular theory of A Song of Ice and Fire: R+L=J (Rhaegar + Lyanna = Jon).
At King’s Landing
The episode opens with the events at King’s Landing. Everybody is getting ready to attend the trials of both Loras and Cersei. The moment in which one of Varys’s “little birds” whispers some message into Maester Pycelle’s ear, one realizes that something is wrong. This uneasiness continues when UnGregor does not allow Tommen to attend the trial. At the Sept of Baelor, Loras reveals his sexual orientation and confesses other trivial defects. As an act of penitence, he decides to join the High Sparrows renouncing his inheritance and the Tyrell name. Of note is when he mentions that he will never marry or father children, which seems to be a reasonable choice due to his sexual preferences. There will be nobody pressuring him to marry somebody to continue the Tyrell line. The Sparrows proceed to carve the Seven Pointed Star on his forehead. Margaery does not like this “mutilation,” and expresses her objections to it, a possible hint that her conversion is more about playing the game. She emphasizes that Cersei is not around, and the High Sparrow sends Lancel Lannister for her. Once outside the Sept, Lancel spots a “little bird” and decides to pursue him. Another shot that hints that something is wrong. These various clues, which are superbly edited in the first twenty minutes, lead to the deaths and shocks that follow. Maester Pycelle is slaughtered by the little birds in the presence of Qyburn, revealing that Cersei has been plotting how to get out of the dire situation her son placed her in. The next victim is Lancel, who follows the “little bird” into the underground tunnels. At this stage, the location brings to mind the tunnels filled with wildfire in Season 2. Next, Lancel is stabbed and drags himself on the ground to stop what the “little bird” has activated. At the Sept, Margaery realizes that something is wrong because of both Cersei and Tommen being absent. Of course, the High Sparrow disregards her concerns and does not allow anybody to leave the Sept, no matter how reasonable and logical Margaery’s arguments are. I felt dismayed seeing Margaery raising her voice and saying that they all need to leave, and grabbing her brother and looking at her father. Then, there is the view of the wildfire explosion killing Lancel first followed by everybody present at the Sept for the trials. Of course, the viewer gets to see the look of satisfaction on Cersei’s face. King Tommen is in shock because of the explosion and the realization that his wife and the Sparrows, who were backing him, are gone. He commits suicide by throwing himself out of the window, probably feeling that his efforts to protect his supporters have been futile, and blaming himself for their deaths. This scene is likely to be the shocker of this episode since his death is unexpected. In this case, Cersei is responsible for the death of her son. The prophecy of Maggy the Frog, which was revealed last season is becoming a reality. All her children are dead, and she is next. Of note is the scene in which Tommen’s body is revealed to Cersei. Her eyes are teary, but she does not mourn him as much as she did with her other two children. It may mean that she was not relying much on her son at this stage since he abolished trial by combat to ruin her. At the same time, she got what she wanted – power (even though she has none at this stage). Of note is how Cersei takes her revenge on Septa Unella, before giving her up to UnGregor for torture. Cersei confesses all her crimes that she is accused of, like killing Robert Baratheon and the fact that her children are the product of her incestual relationship with Jaime. What I like about this scene is when Cersei tells her that all the humiliation she underwent last season is related to Septa Unella enjoying it, which I believe to the truth: “You didn’t do it because you cared about my atonement. You did it because it felt good.” This scene reveals Cersei’s state of mind, which she shares with the last Targaryen King, the Mad King.
. . . because it felt good to watch them burn. It felt good to imagine their shock and their pain. No thought has ever given me greater joy.
Later, Cersei is crowned as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms at the same time that her brother Jaime arrives from the Riverlands. He is shocked to see the burned Sept. Furthermore, the look on his face reveals that he is not happy with what Cersei has done while he was away. At this stage, he is processing the information, and he is becoming aware that his last son, Tommen, is dead.
Prediction: There will be an estrangement between Cersei and Jaime next season. Even though she sits the Iron Throne, she does not have any allies left. The whole South is against her, and the new King in the North has arisen.
At the Twins
The Freys are celebrating the defeat of their enemies and the return of Riverrun to their hands. The scene starts with a beautiful young girl serving a drink to both Jaime and Bronn. The girl’s gaze is centered on Jaime, and Bronn teases him about her. Sincerely, I suspected for a brief period that the girl was Arya wearing a different face. The conversation between Lord Frey and Jamie is superb. Walder Frey praises himself for being a kingslayer and achieving victory by killing Robb Stark when he was a guest. He considers himself the equivalent of Jaime Lannister, who murdered the Mad King. Frey’s comments offend Jaime. We are aware that Jaime killed Aerys to save the people of King’s Landing being burned by wildfire. What Jaime did is heroic even if it is not honorable. Of course, everybody in the Seven Kingdome is unaware of the reasons why Jaime opted to kill a King he swore to protect. When it comes to Walder Frey, there is nothing heroic and honorable in winning a war by killing his guests. It was an ambition to advance his house that led him to betray Robb Stark. The reasons are different. Jaime reminds him of House Frey’s incompetence to hold River Run, and that if it were not for the Lannisters, they would not have been able to get Riverrun back.
Later, it is revealed that the beautiful girl that was looking at both Jamie and Bronn is Arya Stark. She serves Lord Frey what is known by readers a Frey pie. She reveals her identity by removing the face of the beautiful maid, and proceeds in slitting Walder Frey’s throat avenging her brother and mother, and the Northern army. This scene brings to mind the story of the Rat Cook, which Bran told Meera and Jojen a few seasons back when they were at the Nigthfort. The Rat Cook is a cook who gave his guest, an Andal King, a pie made with the flesh of the Prince (the King’s son). The Gods punished the cook by turning him into a big rat who can only eat his own young. Arya’s line reveals the hatred she feels for everybody who was behind the fall of her House: “The last thing you’re ever going to see is a Stark smiling at you as you die.” She even has a smile on her face as she kills Walder Frey. She has become a ruthless assassin.
Predictions: Arya will be killing Melisandre, who is heading south. She might join the Brotherhood Without Banners, who are heading north. She may encounter Brienne and Pod too. However, I think she will infiltrate the Red Keep as one “little bird,” and ruin Cersei to avenge her father.
At Winterfell
Jon Snow has Melisandre banished from his service. She confesses to being behind the burning of Shireen Baratheon. Of course, she acknowledges that she never lied but that she misinterpreted the visions that the Lord of Light sent her. Of note is how Melisandre regrets her past actions. She explains that she is not only responsible but that Shireen’s parents allowed it, which is the truth. However, she instigated the death of Shireen when Stannis’s army was at its lowest. They lacked provisions, and somebody needed to be sacrificed. Davos reminds her that the sacrifice was futile since Stannis and his army perished, and that many have died because of her misreading the visions. Jon does not execute her because she has been useful to him, especially in reanimating him. Furthermore, she must be useful again in the war against the Night King and the undead.
Sansa says to Jon that she should have told him about Littlefinger and the Knights of the Vale. Jon is aware that Petyr Baelish sold Sansa to the Boltons. Why did Sansa believe Baelish will help her to regain Winterfell? I think she knows Petyr wants her as implied in the Season 4 Finale, and she is using this knowledge to her advantage. She tells Jon that Littlefinger cannot be trusted. Later, Littlefinger meets Sansa at the Godswood and reveals his plans. He wants the Iron Throne and Sansa as queen. He tries to kiss her, but she eludes him. He reminds her that he has declared for House Stark and that the news will spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms. However, she tells him indirectly that he cannot be trusted since he has declared for other Houses in the past. He tries to put Sansa against Jon by telling her that the North will rise for her, a trueborn Stark, and not for her bastard brother.
The King in the North and the Vision of the Past
Benjen Stark successfully brings Bran and Meera close to the Wall. He confirms he is somebody who cannot pass due to the Wall having its ancient, protective spells. Therefore, he has characteristics similar to a White Walker. Bran decides to connect to the weirdwood net by touching a tree nearby, and he finally sees the revelation that many of us have been waiting for years. He is back to the past just after the fight between his father and Ser Arthur Dayne at the Tower of Joy. Eddard Stark proceeds to rescue his sister Lyanna and finds her dying after childbirth. She is in the company of two Dornish maids (they are witnesses to the event). Lyanna tells Eddard to keep her son safe from Robert Baratheon and asks him to promise her that he will. Bran learns that Jon is his cousin. What is not made clear is whose Jon’s father is. Since Lyanna asks him to protect her son from Robert, one can conclude that the child’s father is Rhaegar Targaryen and that Jon is a legitimate Targaryen because of the presence of the Kingsguard. I love the cut from baby Jon to adult Jon. Then, the viewers are transported back to the present where the Northern Lords, the Knights of the Vale and Wildlings at Winterfell are deciding what to do in regards to the White Walkers. Then, young Lyanna Mormont (not to be confused with Eddard’s sister, Jon’s mother) gives a lecture to certain Lords, Manderly, Cerwyn, and Glover, about refusing the call to help House Stark, even though they have good reason to fight against House Bolton. She gives her little speech about her House remembering the Starks: “The North Remembers.” She mentions that she does not care that Jon is a bastard. The fact that he has Stark blood in his veins is what matters to her, and she proclaims him King. Lord Manderly joins her in the proclamation and calls Jon, “the White Wolf.” Subsequently, every Lord joins in, including Davos Seaworth. Sansa is satisfied with the decision. However, as her gaze meets Littlefinger’s, she looks concerned.
Prediction: Littlefinger will be beheaded by Jon Snow next season.
At Mereen
Daenerys informs Daario that he needs to stay back at Mereen since she cannot bring a lover to Westeros. She will need to create an alliance with somebody, and that means marriage. I love Daario’s reply to her: “Are you a Queen or fish bait?” He tells her that he loves her, which has been the case so far. Subsequently, Tyrion tells Danaerys that leaving lovers behind is a sacrifice that good rulers do. However, Daenerys reveals that she did not feel anything when saying goodbye to Daario, probably an indication that she was never in love with him. She confirms that she is afraid of failure. Of note is when Tyrion tells her that he believes in her, but he does not have fighting skills to offer her. She tells him that she needs his counsel, and she proceeds in making him her Hand.
Other Highlights
Sam and Gilly arrive at the beautiful city of Oldtown. Once at the Citadel, they meet an intimidating Maester, who questions Sam’s presence there. It seems that there is a protocol to follow in assigning Maesters to a particular house or location. Sam is allowed to use the library before meeting the Archmaester. Once he enters the library, he is in awe since it the biggest one in Westeros.
The Queen of Thornes is invited by Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes to create an alliance to avenge the deaths of her son and grandchildren. Of course, Olenna does not trust them since Dorne, and The Reach have always been enemies. Varys is behind this alliance. Therefore, Daenerys would be getting the support of the Martells and Tyrells. However, what power does Olenna hold in the Reach at this stage? In the books, Margaery and Loras have siblings, but not in the TV adaptation. Does she have another son or daughter than Mace Tyrell?
The final scene of Daenerys heading to Westeros with the Ironborn fleet is beautifully made (it does not matter to me the fact that Vary teleported from Dorne back to Mereen). The sails have the three-headed dragon of House Targaryen. Some of the ships also have the banners of House Greyjoy, the Kraken. The shot at the end with the three dragons flying is impressive.