Game of Thrones’ sixth season aired in 2016. (same year Westworld first aired) It received positive reviews from critics, fans and viewers alike. A prequel titled, “House of the Dragon” is now streaming on HBO Max.
This review contains no SPOILERS except for one regarding the death of a prominent character in Season 5. If you’re not caught up, tread carefully.
Positive & Negative Aspects
Positive: The Main Cast reprise their roles and they all did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Richard E. Grant guest stars as a theatrical actor performing a play based on Joffrey’s life. Ian McShane (AL Swearengen from Deadwood) also guest stars in one episode listed below.
Jonathan Pryce plays The High Sparrow. He has a pivotal role in King’s Landing.
Even though the last two books, “The Winds of Winter” and “A Dream of Spring” are currently in development, David Benioff & D.B. Weiss wrote original material with input from George R.R. Martin. A risky gamble not adapting something that’s already been published.
Ramin Djawadi (Iron Man, Westworld) orchestrated the soundtrack.
Cinematography captures in-depth imagery of Westeros.
Visual and Practial Effects bring the world of Westeros to life.
Death Scenes are extremely gory. If you have a weak stomach, be prepared. Bring yourself a barf bag.
Season 5 Recap
- Brienne kills Stannis. Avenging Renly’s death.
- The Night’s Watch labels Jon a traitor. They stabbed him.
- Melisandre burns Shireen alive.
- The White Walkers amassed an army.
- After Tyrion murder Tywin, he forms an alliance with Daenerys.
- Arya loses her 20/20 vision.
- Bron is poisoned.
- Jorah regains Daenerys’ trust. His arm is contracted with scales (which looks like some form of rash) upon making physical contact with stone people.
- Daenerys encounters Dothraki. Her dragons grew bigger.
- Jamie finds out Myrcella is his daughter. Suddenly… she dies from poison.
- Ramsay marries Sansa. He forces her to lose her virginity.
- Theon & Sansa escape Winterfell.
- Cersei confesses her crimes. She’s forced to walk naked in front of a crowd as public humiliation. She has a new haircut lookin’ like Ellen DeGeneres.
Primary Themes are Honor, Family, Legacy, Loss, Betrayal & Revenge. Each one is handled maturely.
Nearly every character has a unique personality and background. Daenerys is my favorite.
Episode 60’s last scene sets up Season 7.
Negative: Episode 52’s ending made Season 5’s finale look like a total cop out.
Episode 51 – The Red Woman
Sansa & Theon flee from Ramsay’s soldiers.
Brienne engages in combat.
Jorah investigates Daenerys’ disappearance. His condition gets slightly worse.
Daenerys meets The Dothraki.
A big reveal at the end.
Episode 52 – Home
Open: Jamie mourns Myrcella’s death.
Bran sees a memory of a dead relative’s childhood. He also discovers a man is linked to his family.
Somebody dies from a “broken heart.”
Ramsay crosses a huge line.
Tyrion attempts to tame two “beasts.”
Closed: Last scene makes one of my favorite character’s lackluster death look like a cop out. As if David & D.B. were playing with my
Episode 53 – Oathbreaker
Cersei & Jamie attend a high council meeting.
Screw it. Jon’s back from the dead.
Bran sees another memory of a relative’s past.
Arya endures intensive training. Reminds me of Daredevil’s training with Stick leading up to his double life as a lawyer and superhero. Arya’s journey to become a skilled fighter is basically Bruce Wayne training in “Batman Begins.”
A few faces meet their fates.
An individual quits his group.
Daenerys returns to Vaes Dothrak.
Episode 54 – Book of the Stranger
Two people have a heartwarming moment.
Littlefinger seeks reinforcements.
Jorah & Daario scout a location before they embark on a stealth mission.
High Sparrow brings up his past.
Daenerys has a hot scene. Metaphorically.
Ramsay leaves a messy trace.
Jon receives a letter.
Episode 55 – The Door
Theon meets a relative.
Yara gets a promotion.
Sansa encounters an unwelcome guest.
Bran sees a memory of a faction’s origins.
Jon and his group embark on a quest.
A Twist Ending changes how we see a character. It was actually Mr. Martin’s idea.
Episode 56 – Blood of my Blood
Sam invites Gilly to his family’s place for dinner.
After Episode 55’s shocking twist, Bran encounters a stranger.
Arya attends a play so she can find a potential target.
Daenerys delivers an epic speech.
Episode 57 – The Broken Man
A familiar face makes an unexpected return. I won’t same his name, I’ll just call him, “The Woodsman.”
Ian McShane makes a guest appearance.
Yara gives Theon a pep talk.
Episode 58 – No One
Brienne pays a visit to an old friend.
The Woodsman comes out of retirement. He reunites with a group. You probably know who he is from Episode 57.
Tomhall has a few announcements.
One scene pays homage to the falling oranges from “The Godfather.”
Tyrion, Missandei & Grey Worm tell jokes.
A chase scene reminds me of “Assassin’s Creed.” Not that god-awful film with Michael Fassbender. The video game series.
Episode 59 – Battle of the Bastards
Jon and his crew attempt to reclaim Winterfell. They have an epic battle against Ramsay’s army. I can’t tell you who’s the winner and loser.
Daenerys forms an alliance.
A shocking moment happened. I don’t wanna say. You’ll have to see for yourself.
One scene subverts a trope known as “Rule of Three.”
Episode 60 – The Winds of Winter
All heck breaks loose in King’s Landing.
The Body Count racks up.
Daenerys makes a sad decision.
One character delivers a fatality.
Bran learns the truth about his family’s secret. I’m giving it Bonus Points. For those who know what I’m talking about, you might get it.
There’s an epic moment at Winterfell.
Last scene sets up Season 7. Meaning, the stakes have escalated.
The Final Verdict: A-
Game of Thrones’ sixth season is nearly perfect. If it weren’t for Episode 52’s ending linked to Season 5’s last scene, it could’ve been an A, FOR APEX. An A- will do fine. If you’re refreshing your memory before streaming House of the Dragon, watch all eight seasons of Game of Thrones.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 