ThisGame of Thronesreview contains spoilers.
Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode 10
The snow is piling as they stand atop the battlements.
Winter is here, Sansa says.
And after a beat, the bastard who would be king cannot stifle his laugh.
Well father always promised, didnt he?
That he did, Jon.
Seven Hells, they even made Dorne interesting.
This isnt what I necessarily wanted to happen in Kings Landing, but its what we deserved.
Nay, that came moments later as King Tommen surveyed the fruits of his staggering ineptitude.
But before the wildfire consumed the Sept, the contrast of two queens in this sequence was chilling.
Margaery, unlike her mother-in-law, has the makings of true, noble ruler.
But that is also why Margaery was tragically tied to the High Sparrow.
Loras was one of the best swordsmen in the Seven Kingdoms.
However, the point became moot when they all were consumed by a bright emerald light.
One wonders if the High Sparrow thought it was the Father taking him home?
Alas, this world does not recognize queens.
It is, indeed, her one redeemable quality, as per Tyrion Lannisters judgment.
But Cersei loves herself more, and her revenge best of all.
You thought Unella shaming Cersei was awful?
Just as much as Joffrey in the end.
Thats probably why Tommen kills himself.
Realizing your mother is whatever the Westerosi equivalent of Satan might be should have that effect.
And it makes sense, because Joffrey was, after all, the Anti-Christ.
Yet, he ultimately was just as awful a ruler as Joffrey.
Nevertheless, Tommens weakness and gullibility made him even more dangerous to the kingdom.
The smoking embers above his city is the legacy of his rule.
Still, Cersei ascending to the Iron Throne as a result is the stuff of nightmares.
And by the looks of it, Jaime Lannister would agree.
Instead, he sees Cersei satisfied with what she always wanted: power.
Now, shell likely prove herself just as mad and bloodthirsty as any of the worst Targaryens.
And his thanks will probably be found in the gullet of Drogons throat.
By then, itll probably be a mercy.
Maybe hed hang himself?
But now that his son-in-law lives married to one of Walders most attractive daughters.
Then again, so would be decapitating your king and replacing his skull with a direwolfs crown.
So, its probably best the episode went the way it did in Edmures case.
And that only made the reveal better.
In that moment,Game of Thronesdid what Stephen Sondheim made a delight with The Worst Pies of London.
Nay, this was more than revenge for her; it was ecstasy.
Previously, it was heartbreaking to watch her grow cold as she murdered Rorge or Polliver in season 4.
This also raises a curious question: now what?
If there is a single name she deserves to cross off her list, it is his.
But even before his body turns cold, what is left for her?
She still has Cerseis name, but I suspect the new ruling queen will die at anothers golden hand.
Of course, not all the pieces were given.
But the destruction of the Wall via Brans cursed arm is a story for another season.
And thus were treated to the end of the Tower of Joy sequence.
And tonight confirmed two of the integers in that question as R+Lyanna=Jon.
Who is the R, you might ask?
Speaking of beauties, the Winterfell plotline as a whole was a vision to behold.
For the first time since season 2, a Stark stood by the homes great hearth.
Just Jon studying his fathers chair is enough.
And before he is even crowned, he is allowed to wield that power in a surprisingly fair fashion.
Banishment for Melisandre is an appropriate punishment since Melisandre desiresnothingmore than to serve Jon Snow, her supposed messiah.
Nevertheless, the suffering of innocence should not be tolerated, even if she did resurrect Jon.
Also relieving to many fans is the peace finally found between Sansa and Jon.
David Benioff and D.B.
If Jon bent the knee to Sansa, so would the rest of the North.
This is Sansas first real cold season, and Jon likely was too young to remember his last one.
More than even blood, that shared world-weariness will be what keeps these siblings together.
It also is what makes Littlefingers power play by the Heart Tree so miscalculated.
Still, Littlefinger is there when Jon Snow ascends to the seat that his brother Robb so briefly held.
Baelish also continues to make eyes at Sansa.
Television drama ambiguity be damned.
And just as it was a poignant moment for Robb, it is also one for Jon tonight.
Also, can we start calling him Jon Stark now?
I am not sure why Dany would pick Daario to rule Meereen and Dragons Bay.
He is not a local nor does he show a knack of any kind for stewardship.
A much better choice would clearly be Missandei and Grey Worm.
She even admits as much to Tyrion in the following scene.
Yet, it feels less like a moment of triumph than one of its about damn time.
Maybe if it happened two seasons ago, Id be fist-pumping?
But it is definitely the final page being turned as we charge forward into the frosty unknown.
But I had not predicted a bitter but still acid-tongued Olenna would also show up.
As Tyrion said, the great game is going to begin for her.
But for the viewers, it is coming to a bloody close.
And so too does season 6.
I cannot say with certainty if its been the best season.
I think its been the most action-packed year ofGame of Thrones, but since leaving George R.R.
Everything is now changing.
Rating:
5 out of 5
