Season 6 continues to pack in the heat, literally and figuratively. Characters are reunited, lines are crossed and war is on the horizon.  In this article, we will recap and analyze the main points in this episode named ‘Book of the Stranger’.

***Before we continue, there are SPOILERS ahead.  If you have not seen the episode, do not read further.***

Castle Black

Just when we thought the reunion of Sansa Stark and Jon Snow was going to be missed, we were relieved to see that Jon Snow was still in Castle Black.  He was packing up his belongings when the horn sounds of a guest’s arrival. Sansa Stark, Brienne of Tarth and Podrick make their way through the courtyard of Castle Black. Jon Snow comes out to see the new arrivals, his face in shock to see his sister, Sansa before them. They immediately rush over to another and embrace in a hug. The moment had fans cheering for the reunion, as the Stark family has been seperated since season 1.

Once in her brother’s safety, Sansa is able to have a bit of a heart to heart with Jon. She apologizes for her crude and childish antics towards him. Sansa has hit an all time low  going from a spoiled brat seen in the first season that was so fascinated with the hope of being a Queen and marrying King Joffrey. Jon accepts her apology and recognizes first hand that his little sister has grown up. Sansa, however may be sparing  Jon all of the details of her new found strength and growth for now. Despite the threatening letter sent by Ramsay to Castle Black which  was to return Sansa in exchange for Rickon and their lives, Sansa still stayed strong.

However the letter is more than just threat for the return of Sansa. Ramsay and his twisted mind declares punishment if Jon Snow does not return his bride to him. He claimed he was going to kill all the Wildlings men, women and children, have his army rape Sansa, boasted about killing Rickon’s  dire wolf and making his fur into a carpet for his chambers. Lastly, Ramsay stakes his reign over Winterfell and threatens Jon Snow’s life if he goes against him. Ramsay may have just sent his last letter, the Wildlings have an army of 2,000 loyal to Jon and with the help of Sansa, they will be able to grow their army of those faithful to the Stark name. Let’s not forget that Littlefinger has coyly persuaded the Lord of the Veil and his knights to assist Sansa.

This episode really brought home just how much stronger Sansa has gotten, and how much she will not take things as they are any more.  There will not be a meek and quiet Sansa.  In reversal, Jon Snow has had enough of war and fighting and is trying to escape it as we have seen him do by giving up the role of Lord Commander.  Even Dolorous Ed, his friend, points out that the army of the dead is coming and now is the time they need Jon’s strength the most.  Jon persistently tries to step out of the fighting.  Sansa brings up the idea of taking back Winterfell with Jon in the lead to which he turns down.  It is only after he reads that graphic letter that the stakes are raised (with Rickon held hostage by a psycho), and that he can not escape the battles that are to come.  He agrees with Sansa that Winterfell (and the North) must be retaken from Ramsay.

Meereen

The slave masters and the newly freed slaves continue to fight with each other without the power and guidance of the ‘breaker of chains’, Daenerys. Tyrion decides to step into the political affairs as Queen Daenerys’s advisor. He holds a meeting with the slave masters from slaver’s bay after threats and plans were made to dethrone Daenerys’s army. Tyrion denounces slavery from Meereen.  However, he proposes that other surrounding cities have 7 years to abolish slavery and that slave holders will be compensated for their losses as well as cut ties with The Sons of the Harpy.

The plan leaves the freed slaves uneasy, placing Grey Worm and Missandei in a hard place. Their loyalty to their Queen and their people causes a slight rift in Tyrion’s new projected plan for Meereen. Tyrion promises the freed slaves that the plan is for peace, not to show favoritism to one side. Leave it to Missandei to articulate beautifully about the situation which eventually appeases the freed slaves minds, “We make peace with our enemies, not our friends.” Despite Missandei’s words of peace, Grey Warm leaves Tyrion with a warning about his knowledge of the slave masters: “You will not use them. They will use you.”

This leaves an ominous warning for Tyrion and the viewers as we wonder if this plan of his will actually work and bring peace.  Tyrion, always one to look far ahead in his plans, may have a good plan to institute peace, but it may not work out that way for him or Meereen.  We hope our favorite half-man will not be swallowed up by the events occurring here.

Vaes Dothrak

Jorah Mormont and Dario Naharis, who have been on the hunt for Daenerys, finally make their way to Vaes Dothrak. Jorah, having the knowledge of the Dothraki and serving by Daenerys side, is aware where she is being taken. Being the wife of the deceased Khal Drogo, Daenerys was to stay in Dosh Khaleen to spend her remaining days with other  deceased Khal’s wives. Jorah and Daario make their way into the walls of Vaes Dothrak barely undetected. They kill two Dothraki men that treatened to warn others. Both Jorah and Daario are able to find Daenerys out on a stroll with another Khal widow. Daenerys understands that they will not make it out alive and must take matters into her own hands.

Daenerys, while amongst Khal Moro and his men, speaks her mind after hearing them speak of her as though she is an object, something purely for trade and pleasure. She gives them a speech about how mighty Khal Drogo was, a true man, while under Khal Moro’s lead she views them as boys. Daenerys is not afraid of Khal Moro, nor does she view him as the rightful ruler. She goes as far as to stake her claim and rule of the Dothraki. Her words are too much for Khal Moro; he threatens to have Daenerys  raped by all of his men until there is nothing left of her. Daenerys stood unwavering, amused by his idle threats, and even smirking as Khal Moro spoke knowing very well what she had awaiting for them.

Daenarys tosses the fiery  huge sconces scattered throughout the room and has the exiting door latched shut to prevent anyone from escaping. She walks amongst the flames and coyly smiles at Khal Moro before tossing the last sconce of fire towards him. The temple begins to collapse, Khal Moro is now killed, leaving Daenarys to make her triumphant exit. Once outside the burnt down door of the temple, she to greeted by a sea of Dothraki people. The Dorthaki bow before her,including the Khal widow leader that doubted her before.  She proves, once again, to be The Unburt Queen of the Andals.

This scene was beyond epic as Daenerys handles those who threaten her with a strong arm.  What we liked was how she didn’t need a man or a dragon to protect her, but was fully able to protect herself and take on the Khals, who are the epitome of a male dominated society.  She doesn’t need the sight of three dragons to garner loyalty from the Dothraki.  All she has to do is walk out unscathed from the fire, and they know she is a force to be reckoned with. Daenerys is a queen with an army, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.  Now if only we get to see her reunited and riding her dragons.

Kings Landing 

The High Sparrow continues to hold power in King’s Landing.  He seeks out Margaery from her imprisoned chambers to speak with her. Margaery believes that The High Sparrow sought her out to have her speak to her brother, Loras, into a confession. The High Sparrow’s sole purpose is to be rid of the monarchy, power, and wealth. In order to do this, he wants to publicly humiliate and shame royal names. He offers Margaery a chance to visit her brother in his celled chamber.  Loras is not taking imprisonment well, and pleads for her to end the madness. Margaery’s love for her brother caused her to make the choice to take the walk in shame just as Cersei Lannister did.

Cersei learns of the news of Margaery’s walk by her son and King. She calls the council which consists mainly of Olenna Tyrell and Ser Kevan Lannister. Cersei crashes yet another small council meeting to bring the news of Margaery’s sentence by The High Sparrow. Cersei proposes that they use both the house of Tyrell and Lannister’s armies to fight The High Sparrow and his follows, to save their names. Looks like there will be a Civil War brewing on the horizon for King’s Landing. We will just be happy with the end of the whole High Sparrow storyline to be honest.

What was really interesting in this part is the inner strength we see Margaery display when she is talking to her brother.  She proves that she will not be broken as easily as it seems Loras is.  She tells him to stay strong before she realizes that he is already broken.  Now she may have accepted the punishment for Loras, but that only proves how she will fiercely protect those she loves just like Cersei will.  She shows that she has some mettle under her skin, and that she is not afraid of the High Sparrow or the Walk of Shame.  It will be interesting to see what will happen next with her character.

Noteable Moments: 

• Ramsay kills Osha, after she attempts to kill him.  Ramsey knew, after torturing Theon, her role in saving bother Bran and Rickon Stark. Ramsay is already the most hated character of Game of Thrones.  It looks like the writers want to continue to show us just how much we hate him.

• Theon returns home to the Iron Islands with a not so warm of a welcome. His sister Yara is not amused or pleased by his return. She reminds Theon of his betrayal and the men she lost from trying to save him from Ramsay Bolton. Yara also believes that the timing of his return is predictable as there is a vacancy in the throne after their father’s passing. Theon informs his sister he learned of their father’s death once the ship docked and he does not want to rule.  Instead, he wants to support his sister for Queen.  Looks like there will be another woman vying for power in a male dominated society, and she will need all the help she can get.  Theon was practically raised by Ned Stark, and will not be as near sighted as the other competitors for the throne of the Iron Islands when it comes to dealing with other nations or making plans.