Game of Thrones Season 5, Episode 10 Review: You know nothing, viewer

Let me make this very clear. I am only a show watcher and whatever I am going to write is based on what I know of the show only, and the interviews I have read, which bring a bit of the books to me. Another most important thing you all must know, if you have not watched the finale or have not caught up with the season like the rest of us... The post is not dark, but it is full of spoilers!

With this episode, we are all in the same boat, book readers and show watchers alike.

Fellow watchers, who have had their share of 'what is happening' feels after watching today's episode, let's begin.

The show presumably begins the morning after Shireen's death. There is nothing but bad news for Stannis Baratheon, even if the red priestess tells him that the Lord of Light is with him. There is mutiny in his camp with half his army abandoning him. His wife, Selyse, has committed suicide. Melisandre too is seen leaving him. Stannis decides lay siege to Winterfell anyway.

But the Boltons bring the battle to him. In one genius stroke of cinematography, you experience the strength of the Bolton army and how small, helpless, and how pathetic Stannis's efforts look. Both the armies collide on white planes and, mounted on horses, the Bolton army makes short work of Stannis and his men.

Like I wrote in the preview, Sansa goes for a Hail Mary pass, lighting the candle in the broken tower's window to signal for rescue. But alas, Brienne, who stood watch for that signal, is now running towards Stannis to settle her score for Renley's murder. At least one of her duties is fulfilled. This leaves Sansa having to take matters in her own hands. But Ramsay's mistress, Myranda get in her way until Reek/Theon decided to finally take a part in her escape and pushes Myranda to her death. Sansa and Reek themselves jump off the wall to outside of the castle. I just hope that the snow on the ground broke their fall and we have something interesting to watch when it comes to Sansa's story, next season.

Sansa, throughout the season, was shown almost at the cusp of  learning to play the game like the players around her. There are moments with Baelish, when they are on there way to Winterfell and then in the crypt of Winterfell, where we thought that she is now learning from one of the best power-players. Then there were moments when she puts down Ramsey too, which gave a glimmer of hope. Now she is (hopefully) on the run with another chaperon - Theon Greyjoy. This time I hope she will take charge because given the situation, she is the sane one in this pairing. Also, alive and running Theon means Pyke could be one of the houses back into play in the next season. 

At Castle Black Ser Davos, who now knows of Shireen's death, and Melisandre, have replaced Samwell and Gilly who are off to Citadel in Oldtown because Sam wants to be a maester and step into the late Aemon's shoes. I will come back to Jon Snow. 

After all this time, Arya Stark finally gets to strike one name off her 'to kill' list. The ruthless, gory murder of Ser Meryn Trant might have brought some peace to Arya but the act doesn't sit well with Jaquen H'ghar and the many-faced God. Result? Arya has now lost her sight. Without sight, is it possible she will turn into a warg like her brother Bran and continue her revenge saga? Or is it a part of her training at the House of Black and White?

In Meereen, I am so glad to see something exciting happening in this torture of an episode (Thank you David Nutter! You've made a complete nut of me!) Jorah and Daario are now on their way to find Dany who fantastically rode out of fighting pit atop Drogon, in the last episode. The responsibility of running Mereen is now in the hands of Missandei, Grey Worm and Tyrion.

Now who should step up to help rule the ancient city in this time of need? Varys, 'the Spider', already has eyes and ears on the other side of Narrow Sea. Is Tyrion finally getting that dignified place in the world which was always denied to him in Westeros? Showrunners, please let it be that way.

Drogon has brought Dany to plains she doesn't know. Dany is on her own while her child is busy licking his wounds. She is soon surrounded by Dothraki riders. Another marvellous sight and a brilliant combination of VFX/CGI and cinematography when these riders make up a dizzy circle around the Mother of Dragons.

In Dorne, the royal family comes to the docks to bid farewell to Myrcella, Jaime, Trystane and Bronn before their ship sets off for King's Landing. Ellaria gives Myrcella an awkward kiss goodbye and subtly makes good on her revenge. The timing of Myrcella's death felt so Bollywood-ish to me. She saves Jamie from the awkward conversation of telling her she is the child of incest by telling him that some part of her always knew the truth. Jaime gets five seconds of an 'I am a father' moment before Myrcella dies from poisoning. Ellaria will get her war now. 

This means King's Landing and Dorne are going to collide. The shoot for season 6 will reportedly continue in Spain. So the tussle for power outside King's Landing will shift to the southern part of Westeros.

In King's Landing, Cersei finally makes her confession. Just the first step of her journey back to the Red Keep. The mere confession is not enough for the High Sparrow, who says she will have to undergo a trial. She is allowed to go back to the Red Keep after her 'atonement'. The queen, is bathed and stripped and made to walk all the way to the Red Keep while people of King's Landing throw scorn, spit and shit. Bad move, folks. This is Cersei. Survivor of all five seasons. Her tears may make you think she is finally broken, but in my opinion, this could spell doom for the High Sparrow. 

As Jamie tells Myrcella earlier in the episode, Cersei loves her kids more than anything in this world. With Joffrey and Myrcella gone, Tommen locked up in his room, the mama lion of House Lannister could turn lethal. She has her weapon ready at the Red Keep all thanks to the Frankenstein of King's Landing, Qyburn! The Mountain is finally awake and ready to kill at Cersei's command.

The tussle of power inside King's Landing will be among Faith Militant, Kevan Lannister who is now hand of the king, Cersei, and let's not forget Lady Olenna Martell. Providing food, protection and advice to the king does give you a great chunk of power. 

Now onto the most frustrating part of the episode for me. Jon Snow. There is a mutiny. His brothers stab him for helping the same wildlings they fought all their lives. Olly stabbing the Lord Commander was utterly brutal. For now, Jon Snow is dead. This once again proves, no single character is safe in this fictional world. Choose wisely when you decide to like and root for a character.

The shoot for Season 6 has started but it will be a year before we get our hands on those episodes. These are the things I am looking forward to getting clarity on-

Jon Snow - Dead or alive?
Daenerys - Queen or captive?
Cersei - Sane or insane?
Sansa - On the run or Wardeness of the North?
Tyrion - Loyal servant or Opportunist?
Olenna Tyrell, Petyr Baelish - Where art thou? 

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.