"Remind them what happened when Daenerys Stormborn and her dragons came to Meereen"
The episode starts from where it left - Sons of Harpy attack Meereen. The battle of ba$tards will have to wait. Dany is back. Tyrion tries reasoning with her, his terms of negotiation with the merchants and how it backfired. Daenerys has a plan that reminds you of Aerys. Like father like daughter. Tyrion gives her a wake-up call, destroying cities is not a good idea. He has a better plan. "We’re here to discuss terms of surrender" says Tyrion when the merchants put forth their conditions. They forgot, they’re talking to the Mother of Dragons, the breaker of chains and various other titles. Enter the dragons and dothraki to save the day. Dothrakis kill merchants, dragons burn slaver ships and the war is over. The CGI is flawless, graphics have improved over time.
One of the Great Masters has to die, this will not be forgiven, Tyrion tells them. One is chosen. He kneels for mercy and in one single bad-ass swoop Grey Worm kills the other two. W-O-W. Tyrion wants him to warn others of Daenerys Stormborn when they think of retribution.
Greyjoys of Iron Islands have reached Meereen(somehow very quick, given the distance and it took Tyrion a whole freakin’ season to reach. To reach Meereen, they’d have to cross King’s Landing, Dorne and Old Valyria. Let’s just not get into the technicalities.) to swear allegiance to the dragon queen. They want the Iron Islands and their uncle Euron Greyjoy killed. Dany accepts their terms, in return, she asks for no raiding and raping i.e. Iron Islands give up being pirates, they accept. Woman power!
Winterfell
Now, lets talk about the best part of the show. An oddly fitting title for an episode released on Father’s Day - "Battle of Ba$tards." It starts with a negotiation between Ramsay and Jon Snow. Ramsay wants Jon to kneel. A thoughtful leader that he is, Jon Snow challenges Ramsay to "settle this the old way" with a duel, and save thousands of lives. Ramsay doesn’t take the bait. With a shaggydog head he taunts and reminds them that he has Rickon Stark. “You’re going to die tomorrow, Lord Bolton. Sleep well, ” Sansa tells Ramsay and rides off.
Jon Snow discusses war strategy with Tormund and Ser Davos. Sansa complains that Jon didn’t let her in on battle plans. She warns him that Ramsay might be a step ahead and how he can see traps coming for he’s the one who sets traps. She acknowledges that Rickon cannot be saved for he is a bigger threat to Ramsay who would kill him anyway. She warns him that she will not go back to Bolton alive, to which Jon Snow say, "I’ll protect you." She replies with, “No one can protect me.” The most heart-breaking line ever.
Unaware of how his only friend Shireen died, Davos finds a Baratheon stag badge.
Battle day, Jon and Ramsay’s forces are lined up. Ramsay tricks Jon into riding forth alone to save Rickon. A masterful archer that he is, kills Rickon only after a show of some deliberate misses. One more dead Stark.
Jon loses his mound amidst the arrows as Bolton cavalry is unleashed. It’s going as per Ramsay’s plan. The moment where you feel, you know nothing Jon Snow. Jon draws out his Longclaw ready to fight, and his cavalry is right on time to the rescue. War ensues. Horses fall, mud slings, men are killed.
GRRM and the makers crush another fan theory that House Umber is tricking Bolton. They have sworn allegiance for real.
Despite the hatred, I’ll take a moment to admire Ramsay’s tactics, they are brilliant. He’s a military genius. His archers shoot on friends and foe indiscriminately. He has men to spare. Ramsay orders a phalanx and the outnumbered force of Jon Snow finds themselves surrounded in shield wall. That’s when you think the Starks have lost. Until a horn sounds. Lord Baelish to the rescue(remember Sansa’s letter?). Sansa brings in the knights of Vale at the last moment. The Vales tear through the Bolton forces.
Jon Snow, Tormund and the giant pursue Ramsay to Winterfell. Stark banners fly at Winterfell, Jon Snow leaves the fate of Ramsay Bolton to Sansa. She feeds him to the Hounds who have been starving for seven days. Poetic justice.
Casualties of the war: Rickon Stark and Wun Wun.
I was relieved that Tormund did not die. The hopes of Tormund - Brienne story are alive.
Verdict:
After a disappointing episode 8(where they royally crushed Arya’s fan theories, hopes of Cleganebowl and return of lady Stoneheart), GoT makers have made an epic comeback. Watch it for the brilliant cinematographic execution and the most satisfying death. It took 25 days of filming, 500 extras, 600 crew members and 70 real horses to shoot the penultimate episode. No less than a spectacle, watch it to be enthralled. Directed by Miguel Sapochnik, who helmed "Hardhome" last season.
Episode 10
Title is same as GRRM’s next book, "Winds of Winter, " this will be the longest GoT episode at 69 minutes(yay!).
It’s time for Cersei’s trial. Cersei will not confess her incest with Jaime but cousin Lancel may be more than willing to testify of his affair with Cersei. With no trial by combat, no rescue by’Mountain’, will Cersei unleash the wildfire? She’s been talking about burning everyone way too much. And fan’s predict this might be GRRM’s way of showing that Cersei and Jaime are Aerys’ ba$tards. Cersei may have borrowed this gene from her father. According to the book, Tywin’s wife Joanna Lannister had an affair with the Mad King. As per the leaks, King Tommen jumps out of a window to death. What leads to this is unknown. His death, however, will be good riddance.
Also, Bran’s visions may finally reveal who Jon’s parents are. Still waiting for the L+R=J theory to come true.
In the trailer, Sansa asks Littlefinger what he wants. To which he creepily replies, he thought she knew. Littlefinger aspires to be the Lord of Winterfell.(Ewww). Will we see a marital union?
Davos confronts Melisandre on Shireen’s death. Daenerys prepares to conquer Westeros.