In Game of Thrones, Season 6 Episode 2, titled Home, Bran makes his return, having not been seen since season 4. There are a couple big deaths, and Cersei seems to have her son Tommen back on her side. Let’s get into the details of this week’s Game of Thrones recap for Home, where Josh provides the recap, then both Josh and Violet share their thoughts about the episode.
- His thoughts on Game of Thrones, Episode 602 of Game of Thrones
- Her thoughts on Game of Thrones, Season 6 Episode 2: Home
Game of Thrones Recap, Season 6 Episode 2: Home
Game of Thrones opens up with a character we hadn’t seen in a while–Bran. He is still within the tree we had seen before, but the Three-Eyed Raven has turned into a humanoid form. Also, Bran has been shown a vision from the past–his father, Ned, as a child in Winterfell. In the vision, Ned is training with a few other Winterfell residents in a sword fight with his uncle. Bran and the Raven watch from afar, and we see Bran’s aunt, and Hodor shows up too. Interestingly, Hodor is able to talk in the past. The Three Eyed-Raven removes him from the vision, despite Bran’s protests. The Raven warns him that staying to long “under the sea” will cause him to “drown.”
Bran talks to Hodor, calling him by his newly discovered real name–Willis. Bran tries to ask Hodor questions, but Hodor says his usual line, “Hodor” to every question. Hodor takes Bran outside, and he sees Meera outside. Meera seems disinterested in Bran’s recent vision. Hodor takes Bran back inside, as we see Meera contemplate things. The tree creature tells Meera that Bran needs her, once he returns to the world.
Jaime Squares off With the High Sparrow
At King’s Landing, we have a peasant man making some pretty crude remarks regarding Cersei to a crowd of peasants. He decides it is time to urinate though, so heads off to a dark alley. He is greeted by a very large figure. This figure, the Mountain, crushes his skull in one blow against the wall of a building.
In the Red Keep, the Mountain returns to Cersei, who escorts her to her daughter’s funeral. The guards will not allow her to attend it though, barring her path. The Mountain prepares his weapon, but Cersei decides against the bloodshed.
At Myrcella’s funeral, Jaime and Tommen discuss matters regarding Cersei. Tommen explains how horrible he feels about letting his mother be imprisoned. Jaime tries to convince Tommen to go see his mother, to make things right. Jaime also tells Tommen he will never allow anyone to put Cersei in a cell again. Jaime gives him one last recommendation to see his mother, when the High Sparrow comes in. Tommen demands to see his wife, but the High Sparrow refuses, so Tommen leaves to see his mother.
Jaime and the High Sparrow have a tense conversation. Jaime talks to the High Sparrow about sins, and asks what atonement he deserves. The High Sparrow eggs Jaime on into killing him, and says “I deserve it.” Then men surround Jaime. The High Sparrow then gives a speech, saying how there are more of his type of people — poor and powerless — than the rich, and that if these people unite, they can take on the elite. Then the High Sparrow leaves, with Jaime standing surrounded by these men.
Tommen Visits Cersei at the Red Keep
Tommen does as Jaime requested, and he tries to apologize to his mother. Cersei comes off cold at first, but after Tommen’s heart-felt apology, and his asking for his mother’s help, Cersei and Tommen seem to reconcile.
Tyrion Wants to Make Dragon Friends
Meanwhile in Meereen, Tyrion contemplates the next move. Grey Worm says they cannot find who burned the fleet of ships. Varys says that Slaver’s Bay has been retaken by Slavers. Tyrion’s next idea is to release the dragons. He then provides some history of dragons–how they were attempted to be tamed, which did not work.
Heading down to where the two remaining dragons are held, Varys decides to remain at the top of the steps while Tyrion makes his way down. In the dark tunnel, Tyrion is eventually greeted by the large face of one of the dragons. After a tense standoff, Tyrion decides to get close enough to pull the pin on the shackles, releasing the dragon. he then slides over to the other, doing the same. The dragons wander to the back of the tunnel as Tyrion heads back to the entrance. He remarks to Varys that he should be told to not do his next stupid idea.
Arya Becomes No One
Arya still remains a peasant on the streets, and she is confronted by the Waif. She hits her with a stick yet again, and demands to know her name. Arya repeatedly answers, “no one.” Then Jaqen H’ghar makes some propositions–if she says her name, he will give her food, shelter, and even her eyes. She says “A girl has no name” to every offer. Jaqen H’ghar then asks her to come with him, and tells her that she is not a beggar anymore.
Ramsay Bolton Takes Matters Into His Own Hands
Roose Bolton and Ramsay discuss their next move, and Ramsay wants to take out Jon Snow, who they are not aware is dead yet. Roose says that killing Jon would break alliances, but Ramsay says that they don’t need all of the alliances. Roose doesn’t agree.
Then Master Wolken comes and informs Roose of the birth of his son. Ramsay congratulates Roose, but then shanks him. Ramsay tells Wolken to tell the allies that Roose was poisoned by their enemies. He also asks to see Lady Walda and the newborn baby.
Outside, Ramsay leads Lady Walda to the dog pens. It takes a second for Lady Walda to understand what is going on, but she catches on. Ramsay releases the hounds and both Lady Walda and the baby are presumably dog meat.
Theon Greyjoy Decides to Head Home
At their camp, Brienne tells Sansa about the last time she saw Arya. Brienne then asks what happened at Winterfell, but Sansa has a hard time talking about it. Sansa and Theon Greyjoy talk, and Theon comes to the conclusion that he cannot go to Castle Black. He is going to head home. Theon asks for a horse, and heads out.
Balon Greyjoy is Murdered by Euron, his Brother
Speaking of home, on the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy and his daughter, Yara, discuss the loss of many Iron Born. The two seem to have a difference of opinions as to how to proceed with their conquests. Balon heads out into a very stormy night when he is confronted by a man on the other side of the bridge he is on. We learn this man is Balon’s brother. Balon is surprised to learn his brother is still alive. Euron tells Balon that his time is over. Balon recounts a story he heard about Euron–he was tied to a mass to weather storm, but he got free and cut the tongues out of his captors. Euron confirms the story, and then tosses his brother over the bridge.
A funeral is then held for Balon when his body is found. Yara promises to figure out who did this, and will kill this person. Meanwhile, it seems as though Yara might not get to be ruler as she thought, as apparently there is some sort of voting system to choose the next ruler.
Castle Black Overthrown–Jon Snow Returns to Life
The newly appointed leader of Castle Black, Alliser Thorne, comes to the room in which Davos and Jon Snow’s remaining supports are holed up, and asks them to surrender. Davos refuses though, so Thorne has men begin breaking down the door. But Castle Black is invaded by a large force–a giant and a bunch of Wildlings. Thorne turns to defend Castle Black from the Wildlings, but it is clear quickly that they are no match and the Night’s Watch surrenders. Thorne is taken prisoner, along with the rest of the mutineers.
Back with Jon Snow’s corpse, the leader of the Wildlings, Tormund, prepares a funeral pyre for Jon Snow.
Davos decides to pay Melisandre a visit. Davos asks her to try to save Jon. Melisandre is consumed with doubt, but Davos pleads with her to try. After some back and forth, she seems to agree to.
Melisandre heads to Jon Snow, and begins her ritual, which is cleaning the body up. She then recites some words, while cutting some hairs and throwing them into a fire. Unfortunately, it is not working so far. Finally she gives up, and everyone leaves the room–except for Ghost. Ghost then gets agitated, and we see why–Jon Snow opens his eyes.
His Thoughts on Game of Thrones, Season 6 Episode 2: Home
The big question of the episode: What is with Jon Snow? He is now back alive, but is he the same person? Or will he be changed due to the ritual Melisandre cast? Or maybe death has changed him? I wonder how Jon Snow will be now. I hope he continues to be the person he was before death as he is one of the few characters that seems to genuinely be good at heart that is still around.
Seeing Bran again was nice. The actor playing him sure has grown a lot since then. But seeing Ned Stark and Hodor as children was interesting. I wonder if the reason Hodor cannot talk anymore is going to be a plot point for the story. He was just a stable boy, we learn, so I am curious to learn more about what it matters that he cannot talk anymore.
We had a lot of death this episode. I expected the death of Roose Bolton coming. There was no way that Ramsay was going to let his kingdom slip into another heir’s hands. In typical Ramsay fashion, he figures out the most gruesome way to handle his problems.
The other big death is Balon Greyjoy. I am not sure why he is wandering outside, on a bridge in that kind of weather. Maybe the Iron Islands always have that type of weather. How could they have the best Navy in the world with how rocky the seas are? I guess maybe because they are working in such harsh conditions it makes them better sailors?
In King’s Landing, I felt the audience was left hanging. Jaime is surrounded by a bunch of men, but we don’t see what happens. Did they attack Jaime? Were they just providing a warning? I suppose we will find out next episode. I have a feeling now that Cersei has Tommen back on her side, she is going to attempt to rain fire on the High Sparrow though.
Overall, the episode was pretty enjoyable, but not much really was going on. Hopefully the episodes start to gain some steam. Sure, we had some regime changes, but so far no external conflicts for anyone this episode. Everyone was dealing with conflicts within their own ranks/kingdoms. Let’s get out and conquer!
Her Thoughts on Game of Thrones, Season 6 Episode 2: Home
Obviously, the most eventful thing to come out of this episode was Jon Snow coming back to life — which happened in the last couple of seconds of the episode. This was kind of like how the biggest thing to happen on the Season 5 finale was Jon Snow being killed off in the final minute or so. Except this time, I think everyone saw it coming. After Jon Snow was killed, it felt like everyone assumed, no, expected, Melisandre to bring him back from the dead. I mean, I loved Jon Snow as much as the next Game of Thrones fan, and felt like he was cut down in his prime, before he was able to complete a full storyline — but then, I felt that way about tons of other characters who have been killed off, especially Ned Stark. Bringing him back seems like kind of a cop out. Game of Thrones is known for killing off popular, beloved characters, so bringing Jon Snow back kind of cheapens the show for me. I’m sure I’ll go on to love whatever storyline comes next for Jon Snow, assuming that he comes back as himself, and not an empty and mindless zombie, but fundamentally, I don’t agree with the decision to bring him back. Especially with the lack of confidence and knowledge that Melisandre had in bringing someone back to life. She said she had seen someone do it once, and that it shouldn’t have been possible. How long ago was that, and how could she remember all the steps involved? Plus, it was someone else who did it, and she has no experience doing it herself. So my mind says this shouldn’t have happened, while my heart says, Yay, welcome back, Jon Snow!
So then we finally got to see Bran again after he’s been MIA for so long. Not really sure where his story is heading, but it would be interesting to see some more flashbacks of Ned Stark.
Ramsay Bolton lived up to his reputation of being a monster, as usual. As soon as they announced that the baby was a boy, you knew that kid was a goner. I didn’t expect him to take out Roose Bolton though, nor did I expect such a gruesome death for both Lady Walda and the baby.
As for Tyrion, it looks like he may have made a couple of dragon friends! Since he mentioned how dragons couldn’t be tamed, that means he’s going to end up finding a way to tame them, right?
Overall, this episode was mostly more setup for bigger things to come, but I am quite enjoying the setup so far!
Scenes from Game of Thrones, Season 6 Episode 3: River of Time
In the next episode it looks like Castle Black is revering Jon Snow as a god for coming back from the dead. It looks like Daernerys is still a captive, and Cersei seems concerned that with their internal struggle going on, outside enemies may try to take advantage of the situation. Check out the preview for next week:
Preview of Season 6 Episode 3 of Game of Thrones
