Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 6 Review: Another doomed wedding!

In all honesty, the preview for Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken did not prepare me for what was in the episode today. The gears turned fast and I have just got my breath back!

Arya Stark is back after the absence of two episodes. At the House of Black and White she is awaiting her training to start. The little rebel she always has been, never stops standing and learning and surging ahead one step at a time. Jaquen H'ghar reads her face through all the lies she tries to tell in order to be one of the faceless men. In the crypt of all the faces, Jaquen helps Arya understand she is not meant to be one of them but something more than that. So, there is something to look forward to in Arya's story arc.

(Image Credit - HBO India)

In the east, on their way to Meereen, Tyrion and Jorah have now started to bond after the incident with stonemen in Valyria. Without realising Tyrion breaks the news of death of Jorah's father, Lord Commander of Night's Watch who was killed by his own men. The expression on Jorah's face says it all. Now he is even more desperate to return to his queen because she represents what he lost in his father, honour and valour. He tells his ever sceptical 'travel companion', "Have you ever heard baby dragons singing? It's hard to be a cynic after that." 

Soon after this bonding conversation, they are captured by one of the slavers, Malko. Caught in a tough spot, the dwarf once again uses his silver tongue and sharp brain to 'sort of' get them out of it. Sentences like, 'The dwarf lives until we find a cock merchant.' are uttered. (Not going reveal that here. You have to watch the episode for this one at least!) But now their way to Meereen and to reach Daenerys is sort of easy.

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The Dorne story is rather cut short. Both Jamie and Sand Snakes race to get to Myrcella. A small fight scene takes place to display how skilled Oberyn's daughters are when it comes to wielding weapons to avenge their father. But soon they are caught by Prince Doran's soldiers and now fates of the Kingslayer and Sand Sisters hang in balance.

In King's Landing, two power houses have reached to seek audience with Queen Mother Cersei. Baelish has come with a plan of his own. He finally reveals his plan to be the Warden of the North. The forever betting man is hedging his bets counting on feasting like a vulture when house of Bolton, Baratheon and Lannister are done fighting each other.

Olenna Tyrell, the matriarch of House of Tyrell, comes answering to Queen Margeary's distress call. But this time, Cersei has managed to stay up on her game. Lores Tyrell stands trial for fornication in front of High Sparrow - now High Septon - and Marge too is thrown in the docket for perjury. Cersei is pleased, young King Tommen is uncertain and Lady Olenna is furious. The tussle for power should make it an interesting watch in coming episodes!

(Image Credit - HBO India)

The most unsettling story is unfolding in Winterfell where Sansa is getting ready to marry Ramsey Bolton. Let's face it, weddings never bode well in this universe. Red wedding lived up to its name and Joffrey died at his.  So far, Sansa somehow managed to be protected from the worst outcomes of things happening around her. But even though her 'supposed' protectors are in the north, Brianne, Stannis marching towards Winterfell, and John Snow at Castle Black, there is no saving Stark kid from sadistic Bolton heir. Ramsey is Joffrey on steroids! He rapes her on their wedding night and forces Theon Greyjoy/Reek watch the girl he has known as a kid 'become a woman'. 

This is the part where series deviates from the books and also the incident that will lend gravity to the story of otherwise sidelined Sansa. Maybe from here, Sansa will write her own chapters. (Psst... did you see the preview for next episode?? You'll know what I mean.)

Game of Thrones Season 5 airs on HBO Defined every Monday at 6:30 am IST with a repeat telecast on the same day at 10 pm