TV Review: Game of Thrones, Season 6, Episode 1 “The Red Woman”

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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EPISODE 1: The Red Woman

THE PLOT : The long summer is at an end, winter truly is coming and with it the cold winds of war as five self proclaimed Kings claim dominance over Westeros, but there can be only one winner when you play the game of thrones.

THE LOWDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don't recommend reading this if you haven't watched this episode). Game of Thrones is back, finally, and this year’s going to be very different. Yes, I’m a bit bummed HBO didn’t give out screeners this year, but since the show is now (more or less) caught up with the books, I understand their reasoning—clearly we’re going to find out whether or not Jon Snow is truly dead over the next couple episodes, keeping THAT secret intact, was no doubt one those reasons. They shoehorned a lot of stuff in tonight, so naturally, the premiere is more of a ‘setting pieces in place’ type deal, rather than giving us answers via lots of screen time. The verdict? Yes, I’m hungry for more.

One of the biggest highlights of the night came from the Sansa/Theon escape. Sansa’s storyline has never been an easy one to watch, even when she seemed to be getting ahead of the game. Finally, tonight changed all that. Seeing Brienne and Podrick come to her and Theon’s rescue was fantastic, one of those awesome moments you can’t believe is finally happening. Having Sansa return Winterfell (and the North) to their former glory is something I really want to see. Burn the Boltons, the Freys and anyone else foolish enough to cross you, I say. Where Littlefinger’s fits into this scenario is beyond me, but I’m sure he’ll figure out a way to include himself
 

The homecoming to King’s Landing was something we all knew would make us cringe. Cersei is out for blood as it is, and this, well, this’ll just push her over the edge. The mourning will pass, and when it does, she’ll bring Jaime up to speed and he’ll be itching to put a golden hand up the Sparrow’s ass—I can’t wait to see him and Jaime in the same room together. Not entirely sure what will become of Margaery and Loras (I can’t believe word of all this nonsense hasn’t reached Granny Tyrell yet), but suffice to say, war with Dorne is likely on the horizon. Man, did I not see THAT coming! The Sand Snakes and their Viper Queen are some deadly ladies indeed.

GAME OF THRONES SEASON 6 premiere was pretty much what I expected, an hour of checking in on most of our characters (no Bran yet) as they set the stage for things to come. Ships burn in Meereen, Arya gets the crap beat out of her, Daenerys becomes a slave, badasses her way out of it, but still ends up with the short end of the stick, and Jorah manages to find her ring with detective skills that would Batman himself, proud. But what of Jon Snow you ask? Yes, Jon Snow. There’s what happened, what I want to happen, and what I think could happen, all of which, thrown completely off by the episode’s ending. Davos finds Jon, and locks himself, Ghost and a handful of loyal peeps all up in a room. Melisandre shows up and I’m thinking, “thank Christ, she’s going to bring him back”, but she vanishes, while one them goes to get the Wildings in hopes of fighting off Thorne (I’m assuming). Yet, when we come back to Jon’s storyline, Melisandre’s not with them, she’s in her room. Cool, she’s getting a spell ready, right? Negative. Instead, she undresses and turns into an old hag before calling it a night and going to bed. Ummm, well, that’s interesting (disturbing)…and credits. Not what I expected, but you have my attention.

SEX/NUDITY: Melisandre gets naked in front of a mirror/plate thing…the rest, you don’t want to be reminded of.

VIOLENCE: It’s a bad day to be royalty in Dorne, we got some stabbing in the heart and face, along with some deaths in the woods curtesy of Brienne, Pod and even Theon. That’s about it.

MOST EPIC SCENE: Brienne coming to Sansa’s rescue. Like I said, it’s just one of those things that HAD to happen and felt so good to see.

FINAL VERDICT :

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