Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 9 Review: Up in flames!

Before we get into all the drama and thrill of today's episode, let's get the smaller bits out of the way.

Jon Snow is back with whoever and whatever is left of Hardhome. Temporary commander Alliser Thorne has let him into Castle Black with the wildlings. Being back and managing both the Night's Watch and the wildlings will not be an easy task for Jon Snow. Snow has heart and his decisions may very well end with him facing mutiny. The faces of the fellow brothers of the Night's Watch say it all.

In Dorne, everything is back to normal now. Myrcella will return to King's Landing with Prince Trystane Martell who will take Oberyn's place on the King's Small Council. Baby King Tommen's council now has Maesters Pycelle and Quburn with Mace Tyrell as the master of Coin and young Trystane​. Quite a collection of the old and new! Ellaria Sand, for the time being I hope, has pledged her allegiance to Doran Martell. So maybe this is it from the Sand Snakes this season.

In Braavos, Arya is on her way to kill the thin man, when she spots Meryn Trant. The foe she has committed to memory in her 'to-kill' list. Trant is in the free city accompanying Mace Tyrell who is in Braavos to negotiate Westeros' debts with the Iron Bank. Mace's lack of tact and singing is not winning favours with Tycho Nestoris of the Iron Bank.

Arya follows Trant to a brothel where he demands the youngest girl in the house. By youngest, Trant means one that's still almost a child. His despicable behaviour solidifies Arya's conviction to kill the man. At the House of Black and White, despite her lie about the thin man, Jacquen H'ghar now knows what Arya is after.

Any Game of Thrones fan will have one advice for new inductees in the fandom- don't fall for characters. No character is safe in the universe created by George RR Martin. That started with Ned Stark in season 1 and in Season 5 it will probably end with Shireen. 

Ramsey Bolton, as promised to his father, takes twenty men and torches tents, food supplies, and horses in Stannis' camp. The camp is caught in heavy snow, stranded between Winterfell and Castle Black. Like we said in the preview, Bolton's attack pushes just the buttons Melisandre would have wanted. To get ahead in the game, Stannis agrees to sacrifice his daughter Shireen. Ser Davos senses danger to the Baratheon heir and unsuccessfully tries to take the princess away with him to secure supplies and horses for Stannis' army. 

While talking to Stannis, Shireen assures him that she is the princess of House Baratheon and she will do anything to help her father. If only the poor kid had any idea what she was saying yes to! Soldiers drag her to the little pyre and Melissandre sets fire to it. Shireen's mother, Selyse, who always disliked her for not being a boy and an heir to Stannis, breaks down when her girl is covered in flames and shrieking for her parents to save her. But Stannis, who fought all odds to save her from the greyscale disease doesn't even blink. Like we said, the man's lost the last ounce of soul he had in his quest for the Iron Throne. Will this sacrifice help Stannis take Winterfell?

In Meereen, the fighting pits are officially open now. As per tradition, the final fights are taking place before Daenerys. As they watch the fighters, Daario Naharis and Hizdahr zo Loraq are engaged in a battle of words. I'm sure Tyrion never wanted to be there considering he was last witness to such duels when Oberyn volunteered to be his champion against The Mountain.

The banter stops when Ser Jorah Mormont comes to the pit and faces Dany. He is relentless, isn't he? Shortly after Jorah emerges the winner, the Sons of Harpy stage their biggest assault yet to dethrone the queen.

The Harpy slaughter the masters in the audience before cornering Dany, Missandei, and her men as they try to get their queen back to safety.This is when Drogon makes a heroic entry tearing through the sky with his screech! An 'Oh, Yes!' moment this episode. 

Drogon torches a dozen Harpies but is attacked with spears. The bonding scene when the kid recognises his mama, Daenerys, is pretty cool however short it maybe. (Let me tip my hat to music by Ramin Djawadi).

Dany mounts Drogon and up they go. That moment was a combination of when Hiccup learns to ride Night fury in How To Train Your Dragon  and a 'so long suckers!' moment. Dany leaves her people behind to fend for themselves!

No Winterfell, no King's Landing this week. Because the showrunners have saved the best for the finale.

Can't wait for next Monday!

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.