(Spoiler Alert: Do not read unless you have seen this week’s episode of “Game of Thrones”)
So far this season on “Game of Thrones,” there’s been one big shocking moment in every episode that fan discussion has centered around. Ramsay kills his family. Jon Snow is resurrected. Daenerys burns down Vaes Dothrak. Hodor is sacrificed.
“Blood Of My Blood,” the sixth episode of the season, was very different. Instead, social media has been abuzz about pretty much every single storyline the episode touched on. While Jon, Sansa, and Tyrion were absent, and there were no shocking deaths to be found, several pieces in the grand chess game of Westeros were moved forward as events begin to build to the season finale.
There was the surprising return of Benjen Stark, who has replaced Hodor and Summer as Bran’s protector.
HE IS BACK!!! #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/MTQn2w6rfo
— ?”??”? (@MateoMoreno1) May 30, 2016
GRRM: No! Benjen is not Coldhands
D&D: We don’t know what “no” means #GameofThrones— asoiaf whiner™ (@oldtown_hoe) May 30, 2016
There was Arya’s decision to ditch the Faceless Men and retrieve her sword Needle, leading to an upcoming showdown with the Waif and possibly Jaqen.
Arya like “I quit. I want revenge for my family”. We like #ThronesYall pic.twitter.com/yoZAg8mlN3
— Atima Omara (@atima_omara) May 30, 2016
If they kill Arya I’m gone. [For seven days…Ima be back on Sunday for next week’s episode, but that’s neither here nor there] #ThronesYall
— Carmen Sandiego (@OhYouFancyHumm) May 30, 2016
The Faith Militant has now seemingly brought both Tommen and Margaery under their control, effectively thwarting both their parents’ attempts to regain power. Still, some believe that Queen Marge is secretly playing a long game.
Let’s see…
Kept Tommen whipped
Secured my freedom
Got revenge on Cersei
Got rid of Jaime
Will be able to save Loras#GoTs6 #BloodofmyBlood— Margaery Tyrell (@Margaery_Tyrell) May 30, 2016
Joffrey was Chaotic Evil.
Tommen is worse. He’s Lawful Stupid.
— Nash (@Nash076) May 30, 2016
Sam has nicked his dad’s Valyrian greatsword, while Walder Frey makes his first big appearance since the Red Wedding to reveal he has taken Edmure Tully as his captive.
Samwell taking his pop’s sword is like Cameron from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” leaving home and stealing his dad’s Ferrari. #GameofThrones
— Lonely Tailgater (@LonelyTailgater) May 30, 2016
Edmure had the worst honey moon EVER yo. #DemThrones
— Father Of Draggins (@rodimusprime) May 30, 2016
And then Daenerys ended the episode with another dramatic Dothraki speech, this time made from the back of a fully grown Drogon.
I am first of Her Name
I am Daenerys Targaryen
I am the Mother Of Dragons.
You better recognize!#GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/i4v7xRZWPv— Chi.Di.Ebere (@ChidiNwatu) May 30, 2016
How many Daenerys speeches are we up to? Baker’s dozen?
— Victoria Aveyard (@VictoriaAveyard) May 30, 2016
If Daenerys had a LinkedIn profile I would endorse her in motivational speaking, chaos control and bilingual communication. #GameofThrones
— Anna C. Grajales (@annacgrajales) May 30, 2016