New photos for the second episode of Game of Thrones season six promise the return of Bran Stark, Meera Reed, Balon and Yara Greyjoy and that kid who stabbed Jon Snow. It also introduces us to the Three-Eyed Raven and Harald Karstark.
The most exciting part of this line-up is Bran's return. Since this is the first time we see him since season four, we will not be getting into that highly anticipated vision of the Tower of Joy just yet. Instead, it looks like Bran's mind had travelled to Winterfell and is catching up on the events that have taken place there. This episode will probably also give us a look at how far along Bran is in his training under the Three-Eyed Raven as a greenseer.
The Three-Eyed Raven is the last of the greenseers and is teaching Bran about how to use his vision to travel back and forth through various points in time. He's also teaching him skinchanging, to inhabit the minds of animals. We've already seen Bran do that with his direwolf Summer. The books imply that the Three-Eyed Raven wants to pass on his knowledge to Bran before he dies. The Raven was once a lord named Brynden who served as Hand to the King. He was sent to the Night's Watch where he rose to become Lord Commander and was later lost beyond the Wall. He also is of Targaryen heritage. It'll be interesting to see if any of this comes into play in what we see of him this season.
For Meera Reed, along with her brother Jojen, the primary aim had been to get Bran to the Three-Eyed Raven. Having lost her brother along the way, it remains to be seen where Meera will go from here.
Meanwhile, Arya will continue in her brutal training programme while being blind. It's possible we'll get a glimpse of Jaqen H'ghar this time. As we get closer to the ultimate battle between ice and fire, this season might reveal where their allegiances lie.
From the episode preview, we know Ramsay plans to storm Castle Black to get Sansa back. It's possible his plan involves Harald Karstark, a character described as "ruthless", "calculating" and "frightening". Karstark also has an axe to grind with the Starks after Robb Stark executed his father Rickard Karstark in season three. How soon Sansa and Ramsay learn of Jon Snow's death might determine the success of this plan.
In Mereen, we see what is possibly a meeting of Daenerys' small council— Missandei, Grey Worm, Varys and Tyrion. Topics of discussion will include their burnt fleet, the rise of Lord of Light in the city and the battle brewing with Sons of Harpy.
Varys' trajectory this season should be interesting since his endgame had always been to bring back the Targaryen regime. We're never told why this is except for the vague explanation that it is "for the realm".
Varys looks very perturbed in these photos, which might have to do with Tyrion planning to meet/release the dragons Rhaegal and Viserion. In the books, Tyrion is shown as probably the only character with any knowledge of dragons. Also in the books, the last person who tried to set those dragons free did not come out of it alive. Here's hoping it's Tyrion's dragon-taming skills that we get to see.
Do the Greyjoys, Balon and Yara, come to know of Theon's escape? Previously, after hearing of Theon's castration by Ramsay, Balon gives up on his heir. Yara, however, holds out and attempts to rescue her brother from the Ramsay but fails and later claims he's dead.
With the episode's theme being 'Home', it hints at Euron's return to the Iron Islands. Euron "Crow's Eye" Greyjoy is exiled by Balon after for raping their brother Victarion's wife. In the books, Euron returns a day after Balon's death. While it's said that Balon dies from slipping on a bridge and falling onto the rocks below, a previous still from the show has shown a hooded Euron standing on a bridge. So it looks like Balon is not long for this world. Which character is anyway?
Yara's path is trickier. She's going to make an attempt at claiming her right as Balon's heir and clash with Euron in the process. This episode may set the stage for that.
A defiant Tommen with Maester Pycelle? It looks like two of the weakest players in the game are at the receiving end of some Lannister wrath. I'm placing bets on Cersei since Jaime is with the High Sparrow getting Margaery back.
Castle Black is the loosest canon on the show since there is no material to help us guess where this storyline leads after Jon Snow's death. While fans continue to fervently pray for his resurrection, that's probably not immediately on the agenda. At most we'll see get to see is where this Thorne-Davos stand-off ends with a little help from Dolorous Edd and Melisandre.
(All images via HBO. Game of Thrones, HBO and related service marks are the property of Home Box office, Inc. All rights reserved. Game of Thrones Season 6 airs in India on Star World Premiere HD every Tuesday at 10 PM HD.)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Game of Thrones Season 6, Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode 02, jon Snow, Cersei Lanniser, Tyrion Lannister, Jaime Lannister, Mel")
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}