Game of Thrones Season 6 Finale Review: The Winds of Winter

This Game of Thrones review contains spoilers.

Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode 10

The snow is piling as they stand atop the battlements. Difficult fought for and hard won, two Stark siblings (who are now officially not siblings) consider all the lies, all the death, and all the treachery that has led to them being together in this exhausted, yet inexplicably peaceful, moment. In the wars to come, including the great state of war, they will have to get closer still if they promise to survive. But in this ephemeral instant, i sentence can sum upwards all the bitterly earned noesis that they—and we viewers—have gained over six years.

"Winter is here," Sansa says. And subsequently a vanquish, the bounder who would exist king cannot stifle his express mirth. "Well male parent always promised, didn't he?"

That he did, Jon. That he did. Still, at present that we are finally hither, and "A Song of Ice and Burn" appears to be reaching its mournful crescendo, the pain, horror, and even echoes of occasional triumph tin can exist heard in the silent, relentless snow sliding down our screen.

The tenth episode of Game of Thrones flavour 6, "The Winds of Wintertime," feels like the concluding turning point in the series earlier we enter the fabulous endgame. More than than but an indication of the weather condition, the serial is making skillful on a promise first whispered of in the season i teasers and posters. And just as winter is finally hither, so are the terminal revelations—it would seem—of each character's destiny: queens and kings, conquerors and killers, information technology all came to the fore tonight, and it was ever and then stunningly satisfying.

Seven Hells, they even fabricated Dorne interesting.

But before we get into that, let'due south begin with what might be the tensest and near stunning 22 minutes of tv set this twelvemonth. More than than whatever battle with predictable endings or questionable tactics, that extended and deliriously horrifying opening salvo of Cersei's revenge was a fiery delight. This isn't what I necessarily wanted to happen in Rex's Landing, but it's what we deserved.

Our first homage must be paid to Ramin Djawadi, whose unnerving accompaniment of piano and cello far exceeded any expectation. The union of Djawadi'southward extended Concerto of Death and Miguel Sapochnik'southward direction, which may have viscerally surpassed his piece of work last calendar week, brought to listen how Bernard Herrmann could sharply tighten Hitch's garrote in any given scene.

Admittedly, I had heard theories about Cersei planning to blow up the Great Sept of Baelor before tonight—which honestly, I had not predicted myself—but the queasy suspense that built and built to that eventually inevitable outcome was meliorate than whatsoever unexpected human action of sudden violence. Nay, that came moments later every bit King Tommen surveyed the fruits of his staggering ineptitude.

But earlier the wildfire consumed the Sept, the contrast of two queens in this sequence was chilling. Margaery, dissimilar her mother-in-police, has the makings of true, noble ruler. While I suspect she was entirely honest when she confessed to the High Sparrow that she only pitied the poor to feed her own vanity and popularity, she nevertheless had the capability of compassion, too as empathy. Margaery loved her brother more than Cersei does her own, fifty-fifty if the elderberry keeps her sibling'southward visitor in the marriage bed. But that is as well why Margaery was tragically tied to the High Sparrow.

Having played the fanatic priest similar the violin, Margaery had not simply won her liberty without a single pilus being cutting from her head, but she had tricked the septon into allowing her back into Tommen's bed chambers, which may equally well have come with the keys of the kingdom. The but reason that she could not immediately be orchestrating the High Sparrow's downfall is her love for her blood brother forced her to continue to allow the Church building to play its games, which in the instance of poor Loras Tyrell came in the form of rampant homophobia and utter destruction of the soul.

Unlike Margaery, Loras really did crack under the Sparrow's force per unit area and surrendered his life and sanity to the pious demon who acts the carpenter but demands the fealty of a king. Carving a seven-pointed star in Loras' head merely isn't mutilating him on a sick whim; it is the same as a monarch knighting a warrior. Loras was one of the best swordsmen in the Vii Kingdoms. Aye, he even saved every man, adult female, and kid in that cathedral during a knight of terror in season 2. But like Tyrion Lannister before him, despite his heroism in Blackwater Bay, these fair weather condition courtiers were set up to murder him because of his differences—or at least see the slaughter of his spirit, as he renounced his family, championship, and accepted his new role as the High Sparrow'southward sword.

Past wanting to continue Loras alive, Margaery's bargain with the Sparrow made her frenemy harder to kill since now he had a new bodyguard and perpetual hostage. Withal, the indicate became moot when they all were consumed by a bright emerald lite. One wonders if the High Sparrow idea it was the Father taking him habitation?

The actual destruction of the Great Sept is a crackerjack of a visual that many viewers likely anticipated from the moment they saw Cersei overlook the great church building from her bedroom. Nonetheless, this moment is akin to the King (or Queen) of France choosing to blow up the Vatican because of a crude Pope they despised. Many years ago, Cersei's blood brother slayed a Mad Male monarch to prevent such an barbarism from occurring, and now the just woman he has ever loved proved herself to exist touched by the same lunacy.

To destroy all her enemies, she would fire a millennium of history and heritage that spanned from Baelor himself to Ned Stark's demise. She seeks to erase the past, which in itself is about as heinous every bit the fact that she likely killed thousands. Yes, of course the High Sparrow finally got his just reward; Kevin Lannister can smirk his fashion to Hell; Margaery, Loras, and Mace Tyrell also were expunged from this world; and even that nasty piddling cuss Lancel got a front row seat to the decease of his entire organized religion.

Simply in the process, Cersei proved herself to be as cruel as the Mad King and far more deadly since she incinerated thousands. As nosotros'll go to in a moment, it paved the fashion to Cersei'southward coronation, but Margaery is the queen that could really rule the Seven Kingdoms in a time of peace and tranquility. An expert politician and a vivid courtier, she has the grace and wit to atomic number 82 a fair, compassionate realm, the likes of which has not been seen in generations. Alas, this earth does not recognize queens. So while Daenerys threatens to alter that by forcefulness, Cersei beat her to it in the most repugnant way possible, because the truth is, Cersei doesn't care about her children, not really.

Consider that Cersei does not care about her son plenty to realize that by murdering Margaery, she is in fact crushing what little bit of a heart he has, and then know that she likewise is ultimately unaffected by his decease. All the series' life, we have heard almost as often equally "Winter is Coming" and "A Lannister E'er Pays His Debts" that "Cersei Loves Her Children." It is, indeed, her ane redeemable quality, as per Tyrion Lannister'south judgment. But Cersei loves herself more, and her revenge best of all.

I am sure some viewers might quibble with this since the Sparrows humiliated her concluding season in the vilest, virtually grotesque, and irrefutably misogynistic way possible (one imagines that the Loftier Sparrow would support MRM). And that is true, yet this was a threat Cersei created of her own hand past arming the Sparrows only to try to murder Margaery and Loras. She wanted the Sparrows to shatter Loras' psyche if it might hateful the queen who is a better game role player than her lost her head.

Unfortunately, when information technology became obvious once again that Cersei sucks at the Game of Thrones she nicknamed, she decided to knock the whole board over and accept her pieces while going home. That isn't cool when you're a child and it isn't much amend now as Cersei reveals she has still the anger and viciousness of a belligerent toddler, such equally when she sics the Mountain on Septa Unella. You idea Unella shaming Cersei was awful? The definition of cruelty among women? Well, just in case yous forgot Cersei is the worst, here'due south a scene of her letting a zombiefied rapist have his mode with another woman for all the days to come.

Cersei is evil. Simply as much as Joffrey in the end. That's probably why Tommen kills himself. Realizing your female parent is whatsoever the Westerosi equivalent of Satan might exist should have that result. And it makes sense, because Joffrey was, after all, the Anti-Christ.

With that said, while we all probably saw the green flames coming correct earlier the High Septon'due south disquieting realization, I doubt many saw Tommen going out that window, though he honestly deserved it. Of class, Tommen himself is not a bad kid, and even probably wanted to be a expert rex. Nevertheless, he ultimately was simply as awful a ruler every bit Joffrey. Joff was sadistic and stupid, and propagated a small war into a generational conflict when he beheaded Ned Stark on the Steps of Baelor. All the same, Tommen'southward weakness and gullibility made him even more unsafe to the kingdom. He let a veiled Ceremonious State of war exist conducted betwixt his Church building and his mother that consumed thousands of his subjects in a flood of murderous low-cal. He also ceded all power to the High Sparrow before this moment, including giving him the A-OK for humiliating his mother in the streets before trying to execute her later for a uppercase criminal offence.

The smoking embers above his city is the legacy of his rule. If he doesn't have the ability to lodge Cersei's execution afterward all this, he might likewise go out that window and spare united states all the trouble of watching Dany feed him to a dragon next flavor.

Still, Cersei ascending to the Fe Throne every bit a result is the stuff of nightmares. And by the looks of information technology, Jaime Lannister would agree. It is unclear given the fast tap-dancing effectually the timeline if he knew about the Sept'due south immolation or his last son's expiry, only he is back just in fourth dimension to find not a grieving mother whose worst fears accept come true. Instead, he sees Cersei satisfied with what she always wanted: power. The last time she had it, she let the Sparrows rot abroad the foundations of her capital and poison her son against her. Now, she'll likely bear witness herself merely as mad and bloodthirsty every bit any of the worst Targaryens.

And to hint my theories for next flavour (which volition exist an article unto itself), I think information technology's safe to say Jaime knows this too. 1 day soon, a Targaryen with his brother'south counsel will exist at the gates, and Jaime will find himself in a hellish déjà vu. History will likewise echo itself when he slays a murderous monarch, admitting this time it will exist far, far worse since it is his ladylove. And his thank you will probably exist found in the gullet of Drogon's pharynx.

Past then, it'll probably be a mercy.

Nevertheless, Jaime had some nice moments before then since viewers had the ruby carpeting of catharsis rolled out in another location. Far to the due north of Male monarch's Landing, Jaime began "The Winds of Wintertime" dining with the Freys, which any Stark tin tell you lot is a dicey suggestion. And Jaime was skirting pretty close to winding up with a crossbow commodities for dessert when he insulted Walder Frey to his face, not that we can arraign him.

Jaime murdered a male monarch to save a city while Walder Frey murdered his monarch to avenge a fiddling debt that should've already been settled with Edmure Tully's marriage to his girl. And already, the wheels were turning in the old lecher's mind when he bemoaned the fact that Jaime is plainly keeping his bargain to Edmure by letting the former Lord of Riverrun raise his family in luxury (and shame) at Casterly Rock. Walder probable expected his sons to kill Edmure in the process of taking Riverrun, either because the Blackfish wouldn't comply or after the fact. Perhaps he'd "hang himself?" Simply now that his son-in-law lives married to one of Walder'southward nearly attractive daughters. He can neither marry her to a ameliorate prospect or impale his blood relation. Information technology would be bad form, wouldn't it?

Then again, so would be decapitating your rex and replacing his skull with a direwolf'due south crown. Then, it's probably all-time the episode went the style it did in Edmure'southward case.

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Afterwards thoroughly insulting and demeaning Jaime, who conspicuously takes offense to being called a coward or a weasel behind his back (or being lumped in with this sad disgrace), Walder is and then deliciously treated to a reenactment of Shakespeare'due south Titus Andronicus … but with a wolfish twist.

For those who take not read i of the Bard'due south most wicked plays, a tyrannical Roman general is fed the remains of his beloved children in a pie, and then too is Walder forced to bask the fruits of his loin. Personally, I knew immediately upon Walder remarking that he'd never seen this serving girl earlier that information technology was Arya Stark. And that only made the reveal better. The fact she had to slowly explain that his sons—the two who personally murdered Talisa Stark (plus her unborn child) and Catelyn Stark—were in this pie might be the first and concluding moment I'll ever see a room cheer at the confirmation of cannibalism. In that moment, Game of Thrones did what Stephen Sondheim fabricated a delight with "The Worst Pies of London."

Arya allows the information that she is a Stark sink into the sometime goat'south mind, and the viewers' happy glands. The only matter that could've perchance been icing on the juicy meat is if she said while slicing the throat that "the Starks transport their regards." Just why gild the lily when nosotros can scout Walder's flesh slide open up in the same ruddy gush that poured from Cat's cervix?

Still, I would temper any amount of enjoyment that we all had at that sight with a small-scale warning: the look on Arya's confront was not just that of a girl who crossed some other name off her list. Nay, this was more than revenge for her; it was ecstasy. Previously, it was heartbreaking to scout her abound cold as she murdered Rorge or Polliver in flavor four. Yet, it is almost more disturbing now that it is her mind's happy identify to watch men bleed out.

This besides raises a curious question: now what? Upwards until this point, I would describe Arya killing Walder Frey as the one accented that we could all hope for. If there is a unmarried proper noun she deserves to cross off her listing, it is his. But fifty-fifty before his body turns cold, what is left for her? She still has Cersei'south name, merely I suspect the new ruling queen volition die at another's golden paw. And even if Arya does end Cersei, she still is someone who is happily cutting off strangers' faces for her revenge. For there is even a tinge of horror at the gnawing suspicion about where did Arya get the face she used at the Twins since she was not allowed to accept any masks from the House of Black and White. I am not sure we can merely assume that the face she wore came from an awful person or one whose death was natural.

It is a dark futurity waiting for my favorite Stark, and one that is the virtually shrouded in bleak mystery.

What seems less mysterious is the parentage of Jon Snow, which was confirmed this night for anyone who's been paying attention these past half dozen years. Of class, not all the pieces were given. Bran Stark reached the Wall whereupon Benjen Stark revealed he cannot cross since he is marked with White Walker magic. If only Benjen knew that Bran was similarly touched, he might non exist so quick to go out… or let Bran ever see the civilized side of Westeros once again. But the destruction of the Wall via Bran's cursed arm is a story for some other season.

In this moment, Bran instead finds, ever and then helpfully, a Heart Tree to hook upwardly his Three-Eyed wi-fi. And thus we're treated to the end of the Tower of Joy sequence.

If in that location is one viewer out at that place that did not know Jon Snow is the kid of Lyanna Stark, I desire to congratulate you correct now for staying so blissfully free of "R+50=J." And this night confirmed 2 of the integers in that question equally "R+Lyanna=Jon." Who is the R, yous might ask?

Well, I don't want to be the i to spoil it for you if you oasis't figured it out yet, merely at to the lowest degree consider all the men in the older generation who might accept known Lyanna—as well as why Ned Stark would have to pass off his sister'southward bastard every bit his ain for the child'south safety. Information technology is all hinted every bit Lyanna pleads for Ned to promise her that he'll protect the babe and name the child his. And it is made explicit who the kid is since we become a beautiful cantankerous-cut from the kid's face to adult Jon Snowfall in Winterfell.

Speaking of beauties, the Winterfell plotline every bit a whole was a vision to behold. For the first time since flavour ii, a Stark stood by the home's dandy hearth. And finally, after a considerable age of misery, information technology would appear that a centre of gravity informed by Stark goodness once more exists on the bear witness, as opposed to Lannister scheming.

Merely Jon studying his male parent's chair is enough. And before he is fifty-fifty crowned, he is allowed to wield that ability in a surprisingly fair fashion. If you asked me a year ago, I would tell y'all that I wanted Melisandre'south blood for murdering Shireen. I nonetheless do. Bringing Jon back from the dead is nice and all, but your narrative arc is done and you must pay for marshmallow-ing i of the sweetest characters on the bear witness.

Still, I am sure some readers even now have forgiven the Red Adult female since she brought Jon Snow dorsum from the grave. Presented with his first deliberation as Warden of the North, Jon proved to be a far better judicious mediator than he was a war tactician last week. Banishment for Melisandre is an advisable punishment since Melisandre desires nothing more than to serve Jon Snowfall, her supposed messiah. She also wants to play a crucial role in the state of war to come with the Night's King—one that might nonetheless prove pivotal. Even so, the suffering of innocence should non be tolerated, even if she did resurrect Jon. So, Jon Snow proved he is worthy of the Winterfell seat past correctly splitting the difference through exile, thereby showing mercy to someone he literally owes his life as well. And now that he has been "reborn" in the Boxing of the Bastards, he at final looks determined to continue it.

Likewise relieving to many fans is the peace finally institute between Sansa and Jon. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss plainly are going to keep information technology gray exactly when and where Sansa knew about Littlefinger'southward ground forces arriving (the later the better for her character's sake), but the show both has Jon credit Sansa for the victory while as well tut-tutting her distrusting her blood brother.

Whatever the case might be, and fifty-fifty before Littlefinger makes his moves on Sansa, her fidelity was settled this evening as far as I'yard concerned. If she wanted to make a play for Winterfell and declare herself Wardeness (or Queen) in the North, this was her moment. Jon Snow even offered it to her by pointing out that on top of him beingness a bastard, Sansa's deal-making with Littlefinger ensured the victory. If Jon aptitude the knee to Sansa, so would the rest of the North. Instead, she said she cares non if he is a bounder; she sees him as his full blood brother. Forget titles, she is willing to requite Jon the primary bedchamber! Oh, somewhere Catelyn Stark is rolling over in her watery grave.

Sansa relinquished the ability to name herself more than Lady of Winterfell, and she was happy to do information technology. Whatever ambitions and barriers betwixt her and Jon that exist, they may every bit well take crumbled like a snow mound when they shared a laugh and a retention of their begetter dawdling on near winter. This is Sansa'due south first real common cold season, and Jon likely was too immature to remember his final one. All their life Ned Stark prepared them for this moment, if lilliputian else, and that incongruity between childhood naivety and difficult-won noesis as adults can be felt inside the weather. More than even blood, that shared world-weariness will be what keeps these siblings together.

Information technology as well is what makes Littlefinger'due south power play by the Heart Tree and then miscalculated. He apparently was going to advise union, and Sansa would exist smart to continue dodging that question while offering the snake some choice land for his services. The Vale deserves a little something for the effort, but terminal I checked the Dreadfort is in demand of a new liege lord. I imagine the Umbers' Last Hearth and Karstarks' Karhold are too on the market for the first time in a few centuries too. The only downside to giving Littlefinger whatever or all of these castles is that it gives him fifty-fifty more reason to stick around, which is virtually unwelcome.

Indeed, Sansa even momentarily would appear to entertain Petyr Baelish'due south sweet whisperings of appetite until he mentioned the Iron Throne. At that moment, he might likewise take been offering Sansa a prissy little spot Beyond the Wall called Craster's Proceed, considering King'southward Landing is the last place Sansa wants to go. The Red Keep, the Iron Throne, and all the people who revolve around information technology ruined her life and destroyed her childhood. The idea that she'd yearn to become back there is about as preposterous as Arya returning to the House of Black and White for a second go-round at this whole Faceless Man thing.

Still, Littlefinger is there when Jon Snow ascends to the seat that his brother Robb then briefly held. Baelish also continues to brand eyes at Sansa. But just every bit she seemed genuinely happy before that moment for her brother—having already said she thinks he is a Stark—this potential for discord would appear a cerise herring. Littlefinger apparently is keen to stick around hope that Sansa will change her heed, but the more than he tries to button the Starks apart, the more he will hasten his demise in flavour seven. Tv set drama ambivalence exist damned.

Simply in the here and now, it is a glory to behold as Jon Snow goes from merely a bastard, belonging to the frozen tundra exterior, to King in the North. The scene itself is unexpectedly therapeutic since well-nigh of these lords turned out not to only call back anything resembling an adjuration. Jon's acceptance of their scorn and apathy with the threat of White Walkers thus felt strangely heartwarming and even optimistic, every bit did picayune Lady Mormont proving she is over again everyone'southward favorite character this season.

In a room filled with hardened men, and miserly lords played by veteran character actors, this x-yr-old girl speaks with more than fire than any dragon and puts all their cowardice to shame. In actuality, it is Lyanna Mormont's words that get them to bend the knee to Jon more than annihilation else. And just as it was a poignant moment for Robb, it is also one for Jon this night. I hope his dominion to exist a amend 1 than his brother's, and since the Lannisters no longer accept Tywin running things (and may shortly be dragon meat within the side by side 7 episodes), it has a pretty decent shot at being one.

Also, can we start calling him Jon Stark now? If nosotros're all going to treat him like a Stark and name him King in the North, how about, y'know, a petty respect? Possibly next yr.

Nonetheless, the other storyline beyond Rex'south Landing that is sure to take fans aflutter for flavour 7 occurred in Meereen. And rarely is Meereen ever an exciting identify to go, but this fourth dimension information technology is special, because we're leaving it behind in the narrative dust bin!

I am not certain why Dany would pick Daario to rule Meereen and Dragon's Bay. He is not a local nor does he prove a knack of any kind for stewardship. A much better option would clearly be Missandei and Grey Worm. Nonetheless, nosotros as viewers like Missandei and Grey Worm, and no matter who is playing him, Daario will e'er be that piece of man-meat on the side. Besides, Daenerys has shown an aptitude for making plenty of questionable decisions in the by with regard to Meereen, then one more head-scratcher is hardly unwelcome. It also fabricated for a sweetness buss-off equally Dany disposed of Daario from her life with all the complacency of dropping off her dry out-cleaning.

She even admits equally much to Tyrion in the following scene. I am sure that for some viewers, this is fodder for the Yara-Daenerys shipping that has undoubtedly sprouted up in the terminal week. But more than to the signal, information technology marks a turning betoken where things that have held the Mother of Dragon back—like Meereen unto itself—are being left backside. She gives Tyrion the overdue title of Hand of the Queen, which he has more than earned, and sets sail for Westeros.

In that location is not much to be said near the concluding scene other than it is scenic to witness the dragons, Unsullied, and Dothraki all head for a homeland the Stormborn Targaryen has never stepped pes upon. Notwithstanding, information technology feels less like a moment of triumph than one of "it'south about damn time." Perhaps if it happened 2 seasons ago, I'd exist fist-pumping? Simply it is definitely the final folio being turned as we charge forward into the frosty unknown.

As established earlier tonight in the first Dorne scene ever that did not suck, Daenerys is now in league with the Martells and whatever is left of the Tyrell Business firm in Highgarden, compliments of Lady Olenna. Like many others, I expected Varys to accept been headed to Dorne (the Martells were always close with the Targaryens, including with the Dornish sister of Oberyn who married Dany's oldest brother, Rhaegar). But I had non predicted a biting just nonetheless acid-tongued Olenna would also show up. Between the back up of the Martells, the final Tyrell, and the just Greyjoys who are soon going to matter later Daenerys reaches Pyke, all that's left in Daenerys' path are the Starks and the Lannisters.

As Tyrion said, the cracking game is going to begin for her. Simply for the viewers, it is coming to a encarmine close.

So too does season 6. I cannot say with certainty if it's been the best season. I think it's been the near action-packed year of Game of Thrones , but since leaving George R.R. Martin's books in the rearview, I have noticed a certain looseness in the plotting that was not present in the Valyrian-sharp structure of the first iv seasons. Yet be that as it may, "The Winds of Wintertime" is without a doubt the best season finale to date the serial has had and one that leaves us in a moment of exhilaration and apprehension.

Everything is now irresolute. After half dozen years, we are no longer watching the impossibly great fantasy series that could defy all expectations on HBO, simply rather the unquestionably best idiot box series on the air, with an unprecedented upkeep, line upwards its position for back-to-back Emmy wins for Outstanding Drama. It's gone from "an honor to be nominated" to the president's favorite TV prove that he reads reviews for during his luncheon interruption—which once again, Mr. President, if you lot are reading this, I would love to discuss Westeros with you in-person or otherwise!—simply just as that administration is coming to a close, so likewise is Game of Thrones ' domination.

The game board is narrowing, and only three major families remain on the table; an Army of the Dead is almost sure to breach the wall next twelvemonth; and we are likely to only get seven episodes in the seventh flavor.

For a prove that changed the earth of television, the sun is now lowering in the sky over its own onscreen mural. But if its last episodes are anything like this i, then we are entering an 60 minutes that is truly magical.

You can also continue the magic of Game of Thrones with this Lord Commander Crow on Twitter @DCrowsNest.