Game of Thrones S6 E5: The Door

Hold the door, Hodor. :(

I’m still calling him Hodor even though we learned his original name was Wylis. Now we learn why he repeats “Hodor” and it’s tragic. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that Bran, in ensuring his own future survival and the survival of his allies, altered the course of Wylis' entire life, restricting his speech to that one word. His whole life was in a sense a prelude to his sacrifice. It’s as tragic a way to go as you could imagine.

At least Hodor went out as a hero, saving the lives of Bran and a bunch of others. The other irony is that Bran screwed it all up and got his friend killed by being impatient and seeking out the visions without the guidance of Max Von Sydow. I thought the scenes in the past, with the White Walkers eyeing Bran in unison, were creepy. I also liked the entire concept of Bran’s actions in the past changing the course of the future, which is a classic comic book idea. I’m guessing this is the beginning of the end for this world as the White Walkers break down barriers.

It was a thrill to see Sansa gain more confidence. It’s richly deserved since she has been through hell the past few seasons but has managed to come through all of it bruised but still standing. She doesn’t need anybody else to protect her and usually that protection has an ulterior motive anyway. I loved watching Sansa read the riot act to Littlefinger. If he knew Ramsay would be so abusive, he’s a horrible person to set Sansa up with him.

The other Stark sister will, I hope, be wondering if she really wants a life of getting beat up by some smug waif or hearing cryptic speeches from Jaquen. That whole play had to be awkward for Arya, especially since she was there in person when the Lannisters beheaded her father. (Even fake Cersei is incestuous, trying to get it on with the actor playing Tyrion.) Watching this play will remind Arya that she is not “a girl”; she is a Stark and she should reclaim her birthright in the North.

Over in Essos, Daenerys finally realizes Jorah truly loves her. The way she sent him off to find a cure for the greyscale was her own way of returning his feelings. The red queen sees a vision in the fire to rival Melisandre’s: Daenerys, not Jon Snow, is the chosen one. Maybe they’re both right.

One thing is probably true: Daenerys will probably not be interested in marrying Euron. The new king of the Iron Islands went through that whole coronation ritual and survived drowning and all he got was that driftwood crown? Those people always look wet and must be miserable so they could have come up with some nicer hardware for their ruler.

It was hilarious to watch Yara and Theon and their loyalists steal all the ships from under Euron’s nose. The murderous new king orders his followers to build 1,000 ships but how long will all that take? Meanwhile, Pyke is in the rearview mirror of the rightful queen.

Anyway, RIP Hodor.