If you aren’t caught up on Game of Thrones, go do that and then listen to our show.
TJ and Michael go ALL OUT THRONES for the 20th Piffcast episode, recapping and reviewing the entire epic 6th season. We bounce region to region, House to House, giving our 2 cents on every storyline and where we think they are going. Listen in for our favorite (and least favorite) episodes from Season 6, favorite characters, and ALL THINGS THRONES.
Each week, we give every episode at least 24 hours to breathe and for you to get caught up. After that, you’re clicking at your own risk. Spoilers ahead.
Besides that amazing ending to the 4th episode of this 6th season, there were also some major teams being formed as well. First, major fist pump for Jon and Sansa! Theon and Yara are starting a campaign before the Kingmoot. Cersei and Jaime finally have the Queen of Thorns and Kevan on their side. Then Tyrion and Varys did some wheeling and dealing.
So which of these alliances are #1 Contenders for the Tag-Team Title Belts?
Say what you will about Beyonce or Taylor Swift, but right now…Daenerys > All.
She didn’t need dragons to prove her point this time because SHE IS ONE. With the help of #TrueDectiveSeason3 (Jorah & Daario, in case you’re new here), she burned the whole Dothraki infrastructure down to the ground. You have to love how she just smiled as Khal Moro flung every insult possible her way before lighting every single one of his cohorts up in their council. Now she has added to her forces with the entire Dothraki population and can return to Meereen to raise more hell before heading west.
This was certainly a moment we all hoped for and I appreciate the Game of Thrones showrunners for not prolonging it any longer. In Castle Black and with Jon’s support, Sansa can build the army she rightfully deserves. It also took her forcing the issue of saving Rickon and the North from Ramsay for Jon to get his head out of his ass a little too. This is where Sansa’s revenge officially begins.
It’s funny how “Mean Girls”-ish the Small Council was being toward Cersei and Jaime. Cersei has Tommen’s trust now and even without “authority and dignity” (as Ollena points out) she has the trust of the small council again too, using Margaery’s atonement as leverage. Now is her chance to destroy the High Sparrow.
I think it’s understandable to have some melancholy after being brought back from the dead, but nobody wanted to see Jon leave Castle Black. Sansa gives him purpose now. Although he seems unsure of the decision he’s making, Rickon in danger and revenge for Sansa should be enough motivation to kick Ramsay’s ass.
Brienne held NOTHING back in this episode. “Oh you guys miss Stannis? I executed that bitch.” Now she’s established herself as a force within Castle Black and can better protect Sansa if the dangerous people there respect her.
The Night’s King will occupy this spot until we see him again, which appears to be next week. All you need for reference is the “Hardhome” episode.
Tyrion didn’t make any new friends by negotiating with the Masters, but you can see why he was doing it. As we learned from Michael Corleone in The Godfather, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”. He makes a good point that he, Missandei and Grey Worm should have the upper-hand as the Masters underestimate them, but it all may be posturing for when Daenerys returns.
Davos has been great so far this season but now he’s asking questions for answers he probably doesn’t want to hear. Learning that both Stannis and Shireen take the wind out of him, as they were practically his family. Now he’s left with a choice to serve #TeamStark in the war to come or turn his back on them because Brienne killed his king and Melisandre sacrificed his favorite person in the world.
Not only did Jaime establish his place in the small council again, but he already had a strategy prepared for Kevan and the Queen of Thorns. Kevan may be the hand but Jaime is obviously calling the shots on this plan to get Margaery back and “hopefully” kill the High Sparrow.
We can see the Red Woman has purpose again as she has obviously pledged allegiance to Jon Snow. Davos’s questions have her reeling a little though, especially the when he points out that Stannis trusted in her more than anyone. It’s still tough to contend with someone who can fire off “blood assassinations” and bring the dead back to life.
Big jump for the Queen of Thorns as she sets aside her differences with the Lannister siblings in order to save Margaery and Ser Loras. Jaime and Cersei may just be using her and her motivation only to kill the High Sparrow, but we’re going to see Olenna in all her fiery glory sending her army into action. “Many people will die anyway” was my favorite line from that entire exchange.
He may have the upperhand for now but, man…I am TIRED of this jerk. The weekly soliloquies are getting old and more annoying. I found myself sounding like Homer Simpson while he told that story about his upbringing to Margaery…
Is it me or does Tormund have a HUGE crush on Brienne? He had that “love at first sight” look on his face as she rode in on her horse. He just stared at her while munching on some meat…
Let’s come up with a ship (relationship) name for Tormund and Brienne before someone else does! Send your name with a hashtag to me on Twitter ASAP!
Varys didn’t have much to say in this episode, but he did bring the Masters to Mereen to hear Tyrion out. Gaining anyone’s trust makes him more dangerous and powerful. Interested to see where that leads to next week as we see the effects of the deal they made.
We learned nothing new about Ramsay. He sucks as a human being and has no regard for any life at all. It’s unfortunate that Osha was brought back after being gone for years to just get killed in his lap. He has also called out Jon Snow, which we hope will be the dumbest decision of his life. Karma’s has to catch up at some point.
Little Finger’s first appearance this season is a strong one. Like Varys, he knows everything and used his knowledge against Robin’s top general. Robin, like Tommen, may be in charge but we know Baelish is really the one in charge. He is also lending his forces for Sansa’s protection, which should be interesting considering he gave her to Ramsay in the first place.
#TrueDetectiveSeason3 finally solved their mystery by finding Daenerys. Jorah takes a lot of shit from Daario throughout the episode, age jokes and not being good enough for Dany. But it was Jorah’s experience and savviness that gets he and Daario to Daenerys undetected. At the end of the episode, it’s Jorah who keeps his head up as everyone, including Daario, bows in awe of the Kahleesi too.
If Daario wasn’t totally onboard following Daenerys before, he seems to be now. His lack of discipline paid off when he saved Jorah with his trusty knife. But I don’t think he was prepared to see what transpired at the end of the episode. After all the bragging and picking on Jorah, Daario was the one most humbled of the two as he bowed and adverted his eyes.
I can’t wait for Zombie Mountain to be unleashed on the Sparrows. Do it! Do it now!
Also looking forward to this beast being unleashed on the Bolton army.
Dolorous Edd being in charge of the Night’s Watch certainly frees Jon up to focus on defeating the Boltons. His loyalty to Jon only improves #TeamStark’s forces too.
Yara had a lot of frustrations to unload on Theon and that was pretty evident. She didn’t want to hear sorries but wasn’t going to let him be the prodigal son either. Accepting his help as she makes a run at control of the Iron Islands was smart though.
It would seem we’re going to learn what’s next in Braavos very soon. Hopefully that means we learn more about the super mysterious Jaqen too.
“No One” is going to feel really left out when she finds out Jon and Sansa are taking the fight to Ramsay without her. It would seem she has some work to do in Braavos first…
Sidenote: Does anyone else anticipate a reunion with The Hound coming soon? I don’t think he’s dead…
Theon’s home. Yay. He’s also pledging allegiance to his sister, which is probably the best call considering he betrayed her in the rescue attempt. Does being the original heir to the throne give he and his sister enough sway before the Kingsmoot?
Good for Tommen, breaking promises with The High Sparrow to help his mother. You wonder if the High Sparrow expected that though and whether or not there’s another trick up the priest’s sleeve. However, Tommen seems to FINALLY be doing something to get Margaery back and that’s a good thing.
Where will Doc Brown be taking Bran next as they go “Back to the Future”…or past, whatever.
The teaser for the next episode shows Bran seeing the Night’s King for the first time. Learning more about the enemy gets him closer to learning “everything” and hopefully that gets him closer to channeling the dragons to defeat the White Walkers.
Can we get a “Meanwhile, in Dorne…” soon? It’s weird that Ellaria played such a big part in the premiere and we haven’t seen her since.
Want to see Leaf in some action again soon, but throwing fireballs keeps her in the Top 30.
As the people of Meereen grow restless, the two dragons on-site are Tyrion’s best chance at keeping order before Daenerys returns.
Ghost now knows his brother Shaggydog is dead. Time for payback…
Similar to Ellaria, Euron made his power move early on and we haven’t heard from him since. The Kingsmoot is near and obviously he will be challenging Yara and Theon for control of the Iron Islands. This could get messy because it’s apparent he’s a little crazy…By the way, is it me or does he have some Liev Schreiber to his look?
This was a big episode for both Missandei and Grey Worm. We understood a bit more why neither of them are totally cool with Tyrion. She keeps Tyrion in check a little reminding him that he wasn’t a slave for nearly as long as she and Grey Worm were. When it mattered most too, Missandei even quoted Tyrion to back him in front of the disgruntled freed Meereen citizens.
As mentioned just prior, big episode for Grey Worm. You have to appreciate his assertiveness with Tyrion but still supporting him in front of the citizens. Grey Worm doesn’t understand politics like Tyrion and Varys do, but he does know the Masters in this land better. We may learn fast that things don’t roll the same way here as they do in the west where Tyrion is from, diplomatically.
Hodor.
Podrick looked pretty badass riding in with Brienne and Sansa. Didn’t get a word in at the dinner table, but hey…that’s not his thing.
We’re learning quickly that Kevan is not as overpowering as his late brother but it’s good to see him come around Jaime and Cersei’s way of thinking. He’s also motivated to get Lancel back. Unfortunately, I don’t think Lancel comes out of this thing safely.
Lurking in the basement shadows, giving candy to kids, trying to be Varys…things seem to be going alright for Qyburn and he’s got Maester Pycelle looking for his shoulder too.
Lack of Dorne screen-time makes it tough to keep Tyene high in this list or much higher than her sisters. But you have to like her best of the three, based on her history so far.
…yep…
Did “Obara’s Not Impressed face” catch on yet?
First appearance for Robin since Sansa’s SLAP last season was pretty important, especially for Sansa. I actually didn’t even consider this kid would grow like Bran did, but he has an army and he has entrusted decision making to Little Finger.
You get a feeling Aeron is going to rise on this list after the Kingsmoot.
My fingers are still crossed for a double-cross from Smalljon.
Whatever Smalljon was referring to regarding Harald and children makes me really nervous about Rickon.
…at least Rickon is serving as motivation for Jon and Sansa to take out Ramsay.
Whenever you’re done licking your wounds, Drogon, feel free to come back.
Anyone else think Meera’s just been sitting in that same spot this entire time, outside of the cave? Bran seeing her father in his Tower of Joy vision should increase her importance sooner than later.
Missandei might get jealous of Dany’s new friend.
What’s next for Waif, now that she can’t pick on Arya anymore?
I just pictured Gilly singing “I’m on a Boat!” by Lonely Island. Someone should make that video asap.
…and Samwell’s still puking.
Margaery seems to have a good understanding of what the High Sparrow is trying to do with her and Lancel but the sooner she can get rescued, the better.
WHERE’S BRONN?
Not so much like Daenerys now, are ya?
Yohn should probably be much higher on this list because he is a commander, but Robin was THIS close to throwing him out of the Moon Door…
Your time will come, Septa. And it’s coming soon.
Bringing up Lancel as a reason for Kevan to help Cersei only makes it more obvious he’s going to die.
Loras has seen better days. Just not sure if those will be coming anytime soon…or ever again.
This guy is so unimportant that he wasn’t even present at this last small council meeting.
Keep farting, old man. This is where you’ll be for a long time.
michaelpiff 