It should come as no shock anymore that Game of Thrones would be full of more shocking surprises. More deaths, and plot twists went on in Dance with Dragons, which took some of the biggest departures from the book series yet.
Warning, spoilers and dragons below! Proceed at your own peril.
Although the series seemed to be building up Stannis' character to be much more like-able this season and even endearing (remember when he told Sam good job, for killing a White Walker) all that went straight out the window.
At the behest of the red priestess, Melisandre, Stannis turned over his only daughter, Shireen, and wasn't even man enough to watch her cry for help as she was burned as a sacrifice to the Red God to help turn the tides in his favor after a stealth attack from Ramsay Bolton.
This is yet another one of the many departures the series is taking from the books. One which truly makes you realize that no one, absolutely no one, is safe in the world of Game of Thrones.
On the other side of the wall, Jon Snow and the survivors of the massacre at Hardhome finally made it back. Alliser seemed reluctant to give up command of the blacks but opened the gates for them, and not without some harsh words for Jon.
"You have a good heart, Jon Snow. But you'll get us all killed."
Down South in Dorne, Jaime Lannister seems to be having the most uncomfortable family lunch in the history of the Seven Kingdoms.
Ellaria was still seething mad that Doran wasn't handing her Jaime's head. But Doran, a sly politician, wanted peace - even with the Lannisters - and made some demands of his own.
Myrcella was to return home to King's Landing as ordered by King Tommen, but she would be accompanied by Tristan, who would also be allowed to take over Oberyn's place on the King's small council. He would also be the one to decide what would happen to the sworn swordsman turned knight, Bronn. Thankfully, Tristan lets him live another day, allowing us to enjoy the Jaime-Bronn Bromance just a little bit longer.
Across the Narrow Sea, Arya, still in her role as an oyster seller, is summoned by the Thin Man when she sees none other than Lord Tyrell and Meryn Trant. She follows them into a whore house like a stealthy hunter stalking her oblivious prey.
Arya observes Meryn assess his whore choices but deems them all "too old" for him. She was then spotted and brought in by one of Meryn's men, Meryn recognizes her instantly. Arya considers using this moment to make her move, but, ahh, a girl is much smarter than that.
And in the grand finale of the evening, the fighting pit was re-opened in Meereen. Although she was putting on a good front as Queen along with Hizdahr, it was very clear that she agreed with Tyrion protestations about allowing the fighting to resume.
And Dany was in for more shocks when she sees Ser Jorah enter the pits. But she had no choice but to clap to signal the start of the slaughter - looking terrified for him every second.
Even though it was a close call towards the end, Jorah managed to stand victorious by killing the last fighter.
However, the bloodshed was not over yet. Out of nowhere, masked men in Sons of the Harpy masks flanked the arena, killing everyone in sight, including Hizdahr. Tyrion manages to prove his alliance to Dany once again by saving Missandei.
But the Sons of Harpy still managed to surround them and just when Dany closed her eyes to accept her fate, Drogon suddenly appears to save the Mother of Dragons.
Although stabbed repeatedly and nearly slaughtered, the Sons of the Harpy are no match for a Dragon and Dany manages to climb onto his back for the first time. Instilling awe in those to witness a true Queen mounting a Dragon in flight.
Is it time for Dany to leave Meereen and take her Dragons to Westeros? What will Jaime do when he sees Cersei locked up by the High Sparrow when he returns to King's Landing with her only daughter? And what consequences will Stannis have to face after his terrible decision to sacrifice Shireen?
With only one episode remaining, you will not want to miss next week's Game of Thrones season finale.
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