With the premiere of Game of Thrones season six finally upon us, I thought this would be an excellent time to re-cap the season finale from last season – and speculate on what we want to see and what may have been hinted will happen. “Mother’s Mercy” was written by the creative team of David Benioff and DB Weiss and was directed by David Nutter. Combined with the superlative acting, all this talent put a cap on one of the most impressive television series of all time.
One thing about the final episode, there was precious little of the Mother’s mercy afforded to anyone. The episode is not really about mercy so much as it is about atonement. Each character must face the consequences for the events that they put into motion at the beginning of the season, and in almost every instance those consequences were almost the opposite of what they’d hoped for. Benioff and Weiss wrote 7 of the 10 episodes, and this really contributed to the tight and consistent storytelling. The effects and lushness of the production have only gotten better, also contributing to what was overall a great season – that last scene notwithstanding.
The episode mainly moves from one place to another, giving us a taste of each storyline. We start in Stannis’s (Liam Cunningham) camp with a close up on Melisandre (Carice van Houten) watching the ice melt. She goes to Stannis – it’s time to march on Winterfell now that the Lord of Light is melting the snow. However, bad news after bad news would seem to contradict the benediction of the god. Stannis learns that the sell-swords have all mutinied and taken the horse with them. Then Stannis is lead out of camp to be confronted by the sight of Selyse (Tara Fitzgerald) hanging from a tree, a suicide. Melisandre knows a sinking ship when she sees one and she abandons Stannis.
Stannis still presses on, arriving at Winterfell and prepared to begin the siege. But Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) is having none of that, and Stannis is faced by Bolton’s army riding over the hill toward him. It is clear from Stannis’ face that he knows they have no chance, but he goes to meet his enemy regardless. There is a beautiful shot of the battlefield as the mounted warriors engulf Stannis army from all sides.
Sansa (Sophie Turner) takes advantage of Ramsay’s absence to use the corkscrew she stole to pick the lock to her bedroom and escape to light the signal for Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) to rescue her. Unfortunately, Podrick (Daniel Portman) has seen Stannis army marching on Winterfell and has informed Brienne. She is skeptical that it is really Stannis, but Podrick assures her that he will never forget his flaming heart banner. It’s utterly heartbreaking as Brienne is torn between her two duties and we see the light come on in the tower just after she turns away. We see Sansa, horrified, watch as the armies engage. Any hope she might have had that her psychotic husband might not return is crushed as she watches his army crush Stannis’.
Virtually nothing of the actual battle is shown – just the carnage afterwards. Stannis is clearly injured and is set upon by two soldiers. One manages to hamstring him, but he still kills both. He’s gravely wounded, likely fatally, when Brienne finds him sitting against a tree. She identifies herself as a member of Renly Baratheon’s King’s Guards and then further tells him that she saw him murdered by a shadow with Stannis’ face. She asks him if he murdered him with blood magic. Stannis does not deny it.
Brienne tells him, “In the name of Renly of House Baratheon, first of his name, rightful King of the Andels and the first men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realms, I Brienne of Tarth sentence you to die. Do you have any last words?” Stannis tells her simply, “Go on. Do you duty.” He treats her with respect as a soldier – something we’ve seen little of. And he dies – apparently – with nobility. We see Brienne swing, but we don’t see the actual blow or a severed head, in fact, her swing is finished by a cut to Ramsay killing someone else. There has been speculation that Brienne may not have killed him.
Ramsay, not surprisingly, is just as bloodthirsty and sadistic on the battlefield as elsewhere. He walks after a soldier who is likely already fatally wounded and is begging for mercy. Ramsay accepts the man’s desperate surrender by stabbing him cruelly in the back and twisting the blade. Even Ramsay’s companion is repulsed. Ramsay is now eager to return to his wife.
Sansa rushes to make it back to her chamber before Ramsay can return. She is stopped on the wall by Myranda (Charlotte Hope) who has a drawn bow trained on Sansa. She tells her she’s there to escort Sansa back to her chamber, but Sansa knows that she’s going to be horribly punished for having left it. She tells Myranda that she’d rather die while there was still something of her left.
Myranda is just as sadistic as Ramsay and tells Sansa that she won’t kill her. After all, as a daughter of a Warden of the North, she is too valuable. Ramsay needs her to produce at least two heirs before he’ll be done with her. Myranda muses that Sansa doesn’t need all her body parts to produce heirs and is about to start removing some of the non-essentials when she is stopped by Theon (Alfie Allen) who has been with her all along. He unexpectedly bumps her, making the arrow go wide and then he throws her over the wall!
Theon knows that both he and Sansa are in big trouble now and he grabs Sansa’s hand just as the soldiers start returning. The two run to the outer wall, grasp hands, and jump. Both would rather die at this point than suffer more at Ramsay’s hands.
The action shifts from one sadist to another and from one Stark daughter to another as we join Meryn Trant (Ian Beattie) in the brothel with three young girls. He’s caning them. The first two cry out in pain, but when he hits the third, he gets no response – and that excites him more. He dismisses the first two. Left with the third, he punches her in the stomach, driving her to her knees. However, instead of crying out or begging for mercy, she pulls off her wig and face and leaps up, stabbing him in the eye and driving him to the floor where she takes out the other eye and stabs him multiple times in the chest – it’s Arya (Maise Williams)!
She tells Trant that he was the first person on her list for killing Syrio Forel – “Remember him? Probably not.” She tells him she’s gotten a few others on her list and that the many faced god has gotten some of the others, but she’s glad he left him for her. Trant is kneeling and in agony, and in a terrific parody of praying – let’s not forget that this episode is about sins and atonement – Arya kneels beside him, stabbing him again as she asks him if he knows who she is.
She then stands behind him and tells him that she’s Arya Stark. “Do you know who you are? You’re no one. You’re nothing.” And she slowly slits his throat. These words are proof that she has not learned her lessons of the many faced god. She names herself, but as an assassin for the many faced god she is required to be no one.
Arya tries to return her borrowed face to the Hall of Faces, but Jaqen (Tom Wlaschiha) and Waif (Faye Marsay) are waiting for her. Jaqen says, “The girl has taken a life. The wrong life.” Waif, very annoyingly, points out that she was right about Arya. Arya looks afraid – something she never looked while killing Trant. Williams deserves a lot of praise for her performance all season and in this episode.
Jaqen goes on, “That man’s life was not yours to take. The girl stole from the many faced gad. Now a debt is owed. Only death can pay for life.” And to Arya’s horror, Jaqen pulls out a vial of poison. She clearly thinks it is meant for her but then he drinks it himself, seemingly paying the price for Ayra’s sin. Arya is devastated, and Waif wants to know why. Arya says he was her friend, but Waif disputes it.
And then suddenly, Jaqen is there. Arya asks who is on the ground dead. Jaqen tells her, “he was no one. Just as the girl should have been before she took a face from the hall.” Arya removes the face, and then keeps removing them. Jaqen continues, “the faces are for no one. You are still someone. And to someone, the faces are as good as poison.” Remember, Arya made a point of identifying herself to Trant. The final face that Arya sees is her own – and then she goes blind! Will this be permanent? Can she win back her sight but at the expense of her own identity?
We next shift to Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) taking his leave from Doran (Alexander Siddig) to return to King’s Landing with Myrcella (Nell Tiger Free), Trystane (Toby Sebastian), and Bronn (Jerome Flynn). Ellaria (Indira Varma) makes a point of apologizing to Myrcella and kissing her on the lips. Tyene (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers) takes her leave of Bronn, taunting him – “You want a good girl, but you need a bad pussy!” She bites his ear – but does she also pass him something or whisper something else, like a warning? It looks like Bronn may have something in his hand as he boards the ship.
Jaime and Myrcella share a moment. He gives her back the necklace that has caused so much grief. He tells her that Trystane seems like a nice boy, and Myrcella worries about whether Cersei (Lena Headey) will like him because Cersei doesn’t like anybody. Jaime tells her that she’s lucky to have had a match work out so well. He then goes on to tell her that now that she’s seen something of the world, she might better understands some things. He tells her he needs to tell her something and he begins somewhat awkwardly: “we don’t choose whom we love. It’s beyond our control.” And that line “it’s beyond our control” immediately made me think of
Dangerous Liasons when the main character is forced to cruelly break off his love affair using that expression.
Myrcella spares Jaime any further discomfort by jumping in to say she knows what he’s trying to say, and furthermore, she’s known for some time. She tells him that she’s glad that he’s her father. They hug and there is a look of wonder on Jaime’s face. It’s clear he never expected this outcome. The two pull away and suddenly Myrcella’s nose begins to bleed – it’s the same poison that Tyene gave Bronn. She collapses in Jaime’s arms – can Bronn save her? Is the atonement for Jaime and Cersei’s sin to lose all of their children?
We jump back to the docks and Ellaria also has a nose bleed. Tyene looks a bit unhappy, but passes her handkerchief for Ellaria to wipe her nose and take off the lipstick. Ellaria takes the antidote. As the three sand snakes follow Ellaria off the dock, all three have a swing in their step.
The scene shifts to Meereen and the throne room. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) sits the highest up the steps with Daario (Michiel Huisman) and Jorah (Iain Glen) further down. Tyrion realizes that the other two are both in love with Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). Neither has a chance as neither is a fit consort for a Queen – one a sell sword and one a disgraced knight. But Tyrion sympathizes with them – “we always want the wrong woman.” I loved Daario asking if Tyrion always talks so much, and Jorah simply hanging his head and nodding in silent resignation.
Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) and Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) enter. Grey Worm greets Jorah but says he shouldn’t be there because Daenerys banished him. Daario says that Daenerys would be dead if not for Jorah, and Missandei says she would be dead if not for the “little man.” She hesitates before saying it, clearly not wanting to offend him, and Tyrion himself corrects her with the Valyrian word for “Dwarf.” He adds “Apologies. My Valyrian is a bit nostril” leading to Missandei gently correcting him with “a bit rusty.”
Grey Worm laments that he wasn’t at the fight, but Jorah says the dragon went north, so they need to focus on going after the Queen. Tyrion is prepared to go and is prepared to help the Queen oust the Lannisters from power. Daario points out the ridiculousness of Tyrion coming with them. Tyrion has to admit that he’s not a tracker, he’s not a great warrior, and he’s only middling on a horse. By this point he’s getting annoyed and points out that he has other skills. Daario says, “So mainly you talk.” Tyrion adds “and drink.” And then he insists, “I’ve survived so far!”
Daario points out that that Tyrion can serve the Queen best by staying behind to govern Meereen in her absence. Jorah scoffs that the Meereenese won’t listen to a foreign dwarf. Daario insists that they will listen to Grey Worm, who insists that he is coming with them to find Daenerys, but Daario points out he is too weak. The people of Meereen will listen to Grey Worm. Missandei also states that only the Unsullied can keep the peace in the city. And Daario says that Missandei will also help to rule in Daenerys’ absence because she is the Queen’s closest confident.
Tyrion watches the heroes ride out after the Queen from the walls of the city, and he’s joined by Varys (Conleth Hill) who says “Hello, old friend.” Tyrion turns with a small smile on his face, and Varys continues, “We were so happy together unti you abandoned me.” Tyrion replies that there’s no point asking how Varys found him – and it’s no surprise that Varys would find him when his fortunes had turned either I’m sure. Varys responds, “The birds sing in the west, the birds sing in the east if one knows how to listen. They tell me you’ve already found favor with the Mother of Dragons.” Varys spy network is just as good here as in Westeros.
Tyrion responds, “Well. She didn’t execute me. That was a promising start. Now the heroes are off to find her and I’m stuck here trying to placate a city on the brink of civil war. Any advice for an old comrade?” Varys tells him, “Information is the key. You need to learn your enemies’ strengths and strategies. You need to learn which of your friends are not your friends.” And Tyrion replies, “If only I knew someone with a vast network of spies.” I love these two together! Varys responds – with obvious relish, “If only. A grand old city, choking on violence, corruption, and deceit. Who could possibly have any experience managing such a massive ungainly beast?” A small smile plays across Tyrion’s lips. It’s King’s Landing all over again and they both know it.
Tyrion says, “I did miss you.” And Varys responds, “Oh. I know.” And it’s his turn to look with a small smile, fondly at Tyrion.
Meanwhile, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) is on a windswept mountain top with Drogon. He is injured and licking his wounds as he curls up on a pile of old bones. She insist that she needs to go home, but when she climbs on his back, he throws her off. She acts more like a petulant child her than a Queen. She sulks that she’s hungry, and he could at least go hunting for food!
Daenerys wanders off, presumably in search of food. Suddenly, a horseman comes over the top of a hill. It’s not long before he is joined by many, many more Dothraki. Thousands of horsemen ride around her. She quietly drops her ring. Is this an atonement that she owes to the Dothraki?
Cersei is cowering, filthy, in her cell when we see her. Septa Unella (Hannah Waddingham) enters her cell and intones, “Confess, confess.” We flash to Cersei kneeling before the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce). Is she truly broken, or does she simply have a plan? She tells him that she’s sinned and wants to be clean again, but she wants to know if she goes free if she confess. The High Sparrow opaquely tells her that she “will be dealt with according to her sins.”
She confesses that she laid with a man outside of matrimony – her cousin Lancel. She tries to excuse it by saying she was lonely and afraid and Robert was always whoring around. But the High Sparrow is not forgiving her sin based on someone else’s. Cersei stares at the ground as he says this – is she ashamed or is she angry and doesn’t want him to see it? For his own part, the High Sparrow does seem moved by her confession, and you can see a tear in Pryce's eye. Is he truly devout?
When the High Sparrow presses that there are rumors that her children are not Robert’s but the product of incest, she denies it. And then she can’t hide the Lannister pride and anger. The High Sparrow appears to accept her answer, but says there must now be a trial. Clearly, is she’d simply confessed to everything there wouldn’t be a trial, but her children would be cast from the throne and into the gutter – if not killed outright, and she too would likely be killed for that sin.
Cersei is clearly taken aback that she isn’t simply free to go. She begs for a single drop of the Mother’s mercy – ah, there’s our title! She wants to return to the Red Keep to be able to see her son. And here the High Sparrow makes a tactical error because he grants her this. Clearly, he thinks the humiliation he’s about to subject her to will break her further, but how little he knows of the Lannisters!
Cersei asks if she is free to go, and the High Sparrow says after your atonement. She is very roughly washed by the Septas and has her hair razored off, to the point her scalp is left bloody. Unella oversees the entire process and you can almost feel Cersei’s hatred of her growing.
And of course, it is Unella who follows Cersei through the streets, ringing the bell and intoning “Shame” all the way back to the Red Keep. Even Cersei’s iron will is almost not enough to get her all the way home. She stumbles and falls to her knees at one point, but she looks up and pulls herself together by looking at the Red Keep. She manages to hold herself mostly together until the Septa and guards leave her at the bridge to the keep, and then she allows herself to breakdown even as she stumbles with bloody feet in the door. Heady is simply magnificent in this episode.
Qyburn (Anton Lesser) is the one to run to her and cover her with a cloak. Grand Maester Pycelle (Julian Glover) and Kevan (Ian Gelder) simply stare at her. No doubt both are shocked at her appearance, but also both are clearly enjoying how she’s been treated. Qyburn is eager to introduce her to her newest member of the King’s Guard – it’s Gregor (Hafbor Julius Bjornsson), but he’s very much changed. He’s gigantic and sweeps her up like she weight nothing – which she basically does. However, what’s disturbing is the fact that you can see his purple face around his eyes – he looks like the re-animated corpse he is… So many people coming back from the dead…
At Castle Black, Jon (Kit Harington) shares a drink with Sam (John Bradley). He tells him of the fight and losing the dragonglass. He also tells him that he was able to kill a White Walker with Longclaw. The two agree it must be the Valyrian steel. Jon is distraught that he is now the first Lord Commander in history to sacrifice the lives of his brothers for the Wildings. He knows he is the most hated man at Castle Black right now.
Sam asks Jon for a favor. He wants to be sent to Old Town to train as a Maester. He tells Jon he’ll be of more use when he can advise him on history, strategy, and healing in the coming war. I wonder if his path will cross Pycelle’s and what he’ll make of him. Jon is naturally reluctant to let his only friend and confidant go. However, Sam tells him that if he doesn’t let him go, Sam will die trying to save Gilly (Hannah Murray) and baby Sam from being killed – and he knows he won’t be able to save them.
Jon tells him that the Maester’s will also make Sam swear of women and when Sam says they can try, Jon realizes that Sam is no longer a virgin. I love these two together! Jon is incredulous – but you’d just been beaten half to death… how…? And Sam replies, “Very carefully…” Jon relents and watches from the balcony as Sam drives a cart out of Castle Black with Gilly and the baby.
Davos (Liam Cunnigham) pleads with Jon to get the Wildings to go and fight for Stannis. Jon refuses, saying it’s not their fight. The two are interrupted by Melisandre’s arrival. Interestingly, Jon rushes up and demands word of Stannis while Davos is far more concerned about the Princess. She just looks bleakly at the both of them.
Jon is going through his messages – and it’s a little hilarious how much the Raven notes look like texts. He’s clearly not getting good news. Naturally, any help he might have relied upon has heard of Stannis' defeat. He looks discouraged and exhausted. Olly (Brenock O’Connor) bursts in saying that one of the Wildlings has claimed that Jon’s Uncle Benjen is still alive. Jon rushes out of his office with him. They are met by Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale) who furthers the deception and leads Jon to where a group of the Watch are grouped in a semicircle.
Jon burst through to see a sign – TRAITOR – nailed to a post. He turns towards them as the penny drops. Alliser is the first to step up and stab Jon, intoning, “For the Watch.” It’s clear how he’s whipped his follower up to get them to kill their Lord Commander. This is Jon's atonement for his part in his brothers' deaths. Jon remains standing as he’s stabbed 5 more times, but then goes to his knees, so that he’s looking up as Olly approaches him. Olly looks like he doesn’t want to do it, and Jon weakly says, “Olly?” before Olly too stabs him in the name of the watch. The episode ends on a closeup of Jon lying in the snow with his blood fanning out behind him.
And of course, the big question that has plagued us for a year is, is Jon Snow dead? If he is dead, can Melisandre bring him back to life? Isn’t that why she’s there? Turn back now if you don’t want to be spoiled at all – though most people already know that Kit Harington has been spotted on the season six set. However, he has reportedly only filmed for one week. What does that mean? Is he simply lying about as a corpse? Will season six be the season not to feature any Jon Snow and leave us hanging until next year at this time? That might be the cruelest cut of all!
What are your theories? What are you most hoping to see in Season six? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
