SPOILERS AHEAD
Producers have kept Game of Thrones fans guessing at what the future holds in store for Westeros, Dorne and Essos, and drooling in anticipation of the newest season. Yet somehow, they answered several of our burning questions while posing even more in the season six premiere.
When the title “The Red Woman” was released, we prayed to the Lord of Light that the priestess Melisandre would bring our favorite emo bastard Jon Snow back from the jaws of death. But upon seeing his lifeless corpse, her dumbfounded reaction suggests that Jon will remain deceased or be resurrected in a different manner.
With Brienne of Tarth galloping to Sansa’s and Theon’s rescue, finally liberating them from Ramsay’s sadistic grasp, she once again offers up her sword- this time to Sansa. Brienne seems to have a void that can only be filled in servitude, because her oath sentimentally parallels Brienne’s vows to Catelyn Stark, Sansa’s mother. Only time will tell if she serves Sansa better than she did Catelyn or Renly.
Meanwhile in Dorne, Ellaria murders Prince Doran, accusing him of being weak and failing to take action when Oberyn, his brother and her lover, was killed. With Doran’s, Myrcella’s and Trystane’s murders, it appears as if Ellaria planned this coup d’etat to steal the throne and wreak vengeance on the Lannisters. As she rises in ranks from a minor character to one who majorly affects the storyline, her scheming underhanded personality mirror Cercei.
Blinded for disobedience and cast onto the streets of Bravos, Arya Stark is confronted by the Waif, who demands she fight her. Her flailing attempts at self defense only result in bruises and the Waif departs, promising to return the next day. All eyes are on Arya to see if she will unlock some profound secret through sparring with the Waif that enables her to join the Faceless Men.
The episode took a turn when Melisandre’s identity as an old crone was unveiled. 55 minutes into the episode, when you thought that HBO might actually air its first Game of Thrones episode without any nudity, Melisandre removes her ruby pendant and cloak to reveal her deep dark secret and old lady rack. Whether her facade holds a deeper meaning in the falsification of her entire religion, is up to viewer discretion.
The future remains uncertain with Daenerys captured by Dothraki who want to bring her to the Temple of Dosh Khaleen, where widows of late khals live out the remainder of their days. And what lies in wait for Bran? The last we saw of our crippled young hero in season four, the Raven prophesied that Bran would never walk again, but would instead fly. Fans are still questioning why he was not included in season five, especially when he was about to unlock the secrets of his mysterious powers as a warg.
Though the endless cliffhangers exasperate fans to no end, the appeal of Game of Thrones is that there are always unanswered questions that keep viewers coming back for more. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or in need of a new series to binge on, this show provides the perfect escape as we embark into AP and finals season. Winter is coming, and GoT got your back.