Game of Thrones Round Table: Death Overwhelms Westeros
Henry A. Otero
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There were more "deaths" in this one hour than ever before on Thrones.
Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 10 brought Jon Snow's story to a gut-wrenching conclusion. Do you think he's gone for good? Wasn't it convenient Melisandre arrived at Castle Black? Did Sansa and Theon survive that jump?
Below, TV Fanatics Doug Wolfe, Lindsay MacDonald, Jim Garner and Hank Otero discuss all the major murders, Cersei's walk of atonement and plenty more. Let's discuss it in detail...
Let's start with the closing scene that shocked all non-book readers. Is Jon Snow really dead?
Doug: I do. It seems rare that George R. R. Martin would put in a switch like this and make him come alive again. There's a slight possibility he could, what with Melisandre close by and all that. It worries me that Jon's gone with no one in the keep understanding that the white walkers' kryptonite is valyrian steel. The only other person who knew is Sam and he's off for a while. Did he take that important knowledge to his grave?
Lindsay: I'm not sure I buy it. Jon Snow is... well he's Jon Snow! Melisandre will bring him back, I'm sure, but it creates an interesting opportunity to release him from his Night's Watch vows. After all, he did serve until he died. Oath fulfilled in my book!
Jim: If it was anyone other than George R.R. Martin behind this, I wouldn't be worried that Jon would survive the stabbing(s) some how. But, given who we are dealing with, I'm scared that Jon maybe history and that would mean we have no character among the Night's Watch that we would care about. Also, where the heck was Ghost while these guys were stabbing Jon?
Hank: I think Jon's dead, but I'm with Lindsay in believing Melisandre will resurrect him. They made a point of showing her return to Castle Black for a reason. That said, I've read theories that Jon will warg into Ghost, or that the Night's King resurrects him. In the end, I do think Jon will return in some form next season. He's too important to be gone.
Share your thoughts on Stannis' defeat, as well as his execution at the hands of Brienne of Tarth.
Doug: Good riddance. My only complaint about Brienne's execution of him is that it came too quickly - especially given his poor daughter's death by fire. Also - the Red God R'hllor doesn't appear to be all that effective. So he brought a thaw - a lot of good that did when Stannis lost half of his men because of his cruelty.
Lindsay: Yeah, I saw that coming, but I'm still a little sketchy on this whole Red God business. Was it a sham? And if not, why did the deity decide to betray his "chosen king" in the end? Mostly, I'm just glad that Stannis got his comeuppance in the end.
Jim: I agree with Doug and Lindsay. After burning his daughter alive, being beheaded by Brienne was really more than he deserved.
Hank: Once he was defeated, I feel like his execution was a relief. I agree with Doug that Stannis got off easy, he didn't suffer enough. Either way, he's gone and in the nick of time because I had really tired of his story arc.
Sansa finally lit the candle, but it was Theon that saved her... or did he? How could they survive that jump?
Doug: I was wondering that myself. Did they see an Assassin's Creed cart of hay or something? I didn't see any water down there. Maybe there's a huge snowbank.
Lindsay: I'm thinking deep snow might have been their saving grace. It worked in Frozen after all! Either way, let's hope Sansa finally pairs up with Brienne because Theon isn't exactly a great travelling companion for her.
Jim: I'm really hoping that Sansa stabs Reek in the heart once she is sure they are away from the castle and safe. Or maybe she used him to break her fall.
Hank: I love that theory Jim, Sansa using Theon to break her fall. If both survive, one of them will not walk away in one piece that's for sure. Lindsay's right though, if the snow was deep enough they should be fine.
Meryn Trant's death was no surprise, but how did you feel watching Arya exact her revenge? Is her sight gone for good?
Doug: I doubt it's gone for good. She needed to be taught a lesson, and come to terms with being a "no one". As soon as she's completed the process and is fully indoctrinated, I'm betting her sight will return. In fact, I think part of the process of her coming to terms with the dogma will be her understanding in how to get it back.
Lindsay: Arya was one big yawn this year, so I wasn't even excited to see her get revenge for Syrio. Maybe she'll get her sight back when she truly learns to become no one like Doug says, but I can't say I'm all that interested to find out.
Jim: I was happy that she took time to explain who he was and why she wanted him dead. Hopefully she will get her sight back, but I at this point if they don't move her story along I won't be back to care.
Hank: Arya's story was definitely the slowest burn of all this season. That said, I loved how viciously she took Meryn Trant down explaining everything along the way. As far as her sight, I can't imagine she'd make a very good assassin without her sight. Perhaps, it's just a lesson to slow her down forcing her to become No One.
Did you expect Myrcella to die in the finale? How will Cersei react when she learns the news?
Doug: I knew as soon as Ellaria kissed her that she was dead, so when her nose began to bleed I wasn't too surprised. Cersei has a lot of work ahead of her, so this news will just be one more point of revenge for the pile. I expect Trystane's neck to be separated from his shoulders soon after he arrives at King's Landing.
Lindsay: I didn't expect it, and I'm so upset! Why do all these precious little girls keep getting the crap kicked out of them? I wouldn't be surprised if Cersei takes her revenge out on Trystane for Myrcella's death. He is on a one way ship to torture town.
Jim: Like Doug, as soon as Ellaria kissed her I knew she was in trouble. Maybe we will get lucky and Tystane has an antidote because he and his father expected Ellaria to pull something like this.
Hank: I didn't think much of the kiss at all (it's Dorne), until Myrcella's nose started bleeding. The witch told Cersei she was destined to lose her children, so I doubt Tystane has an antidote with him. The kid's a goner the minute they arrive in King's Landing. This was Game of Thrones' Romeo and Juliet, so they were always doomed.
What do you think the Dothraki want with Daenerys? Will their shared history protect her?
Doug: I think they'll have remembered her and will honor her. In fact, I think they probably watched for her and began to race to meet her as soon as they saw her and her dragon fly over their settlement.
Lindsay: She took off her ring when she saw them riding up, so she obviously wants to leave some bread crumbs. That tells me she's not entirely happy to see the Dothraki. She's not their Khaleesi anymore, and I'd be surprised if they welcomed her with open arms. This could be bad news bears for Dany.
Jim: I have to agree with Doug on this one, I feel like the Dothraki may have followed Drogon's flight and were looking for the mother of dragons. Here is hoping she's just picked up another army.
Hank: The Dothraki are savage and bred for war, Khal Drogo was a unique case. If one of them recognizes Daenerys that might help her cause, but if they take her as a slave she's screwed. Lindsay is right, she's not their Khaleesi and dropped the ring as a bread crumb. All signs point to Dany being in serious trouble.
How did you feel watching Cersei's walk of atonement? Share your thoughts on the Mountain as Kingsguard and her protector.
Doug: That was a surprise - as much of a surprise as his tenderly lifting her up and carrying her away. The walk of atonement was brutal, and will merely feed Cersei's fire. There's no way she'll forget her humiliation at the hand of the Sparrow. I expect his death to be especially brutal and long.
Lindsay: No matter how much I hate Cersei, I still felt so upset watching her walk of atonement. Lena Headey is just that talented, I guess. I'm not sure what freaky magic was worked on the Mountain to get him back in fighting shape, but it was definitely gruesome by the looks of it.
Jim: I can't say that I felt back for Cersei. Given all the lives she has destroyed, walking barefoot and naked through town was a small price to pay really. As for the other, apparently the Kings Guard has _no_ real process for joining given that Frankenstein just got make a Kings Guard.
Hank: Sure Cersei is a nasty piece of work, but no one deserves that cruel and humiliating torture. I felt horrible for her throughout that scene and it was a long walk as well. They made us feel every step of her journey back to the Red Keep. I also have no idea what Qyburn did to the Mountain, but that monster is going to be eating sparrow's for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
