Monday, April 25, 2016

SB on Episode 6.1 (for 4/26/16)

SB on Episode 6.1 (for 4/26/16)
Answers and Questions
            In the first episode of the sixth season of Game of Thrones, a few questions that season five left unanswered were solved.  However, episode 6.1 also raised many new questions that may not be answered for some time. 


Answers
            One major mystery that was solved in episode 6.1 was the death of Jon Snow.  Yes, the opening shot of Jon Snow’s dead body and the coverage of the meetings in the first episode of the sixth season definitely confirmed that Jon Snow is dead and that this was not a dream (as some of the fan theorists have insisted). 
However, one of my classmates (House Seisser) introduced the possibility that the final episode of the series Game of Thrones may reveal that every episode of the series was a dream. House Seisser held that this may be Eddard Stark’s dream (or perhaps even a new character’s dream). 
This is worthy of consideration.  Even though connections between real world history and Game of Thrones can be made, it is impossible for me to deny that the entire Game of Thrones universe (and viewing experience) is quite dream-like. 
Another mystery that was solved in episode 6.1 was the survival of Sansa and Theon.  At the end of the tenth episode of the fifth season, Sansa and Theon jumped from the top of the castle, in order to escape Ramsay and the Reek lifestyle. Though this was not discussed in my previous blogs, I thought that it was possible that these two characters died or became seriously injured (and would eventually die) from the jump. 
I was happy to see the sibling duo alive and kicking.  Perhaps the best scene of episode 6.1 was when Sansa and Theon meet Brienne and Podrick.
Questions
            Even though this episode answered many questions that season five left unanswered, many new questions were raised in this episode.  Even though we saw Sansa and Theon escape, episode 6.1 left us with a new mystery about these characters:  what will become of this new connection between Brienne, Podrick, Sansa, and Theon? 
I look forward to seeing more coverage of this new group and their great escape.  Hopefully, this question will be answered in episodes of the near future.
            Even though episode 6.1 provided insight into the nature of Daenerys’s new situation that was introduced at the end of episode 5.10 (with the circle pit of horseback riding people), we are still not sure what will become of this situation.  We did learn that Daenerys’s status as the widow of Kal Drogo prevented her from having harsh treatment.  However, Daenerys’s other titles did not seem to have much significance here. 
There did not seem to be enough coverage of Daenerys in this episode to show the true nature of this new relationship between Daenerys and this new group.  I hope that there will be more coverage of Daenerys in episodes of the near future.
After discussing and reflecting on a few of these solved mysteries and new questions, I came up with a possible reason why this episode left me with such a sense of want for more information.  This is the first Game of Thrones blog that I wrote where the focus is on only one episode.
All of my previous blogs and viewing sessions of Game of Thrones revolved around three or four episodes.  This fact is worthy of mention because in only viewing one episode, you are left with less information than if you watched three or four episodes.  Obviously, this can provide one with a desire for more information.  It will be difficult to wait for one episode a week, but I am sure that all of these questions will be answered in time.

5 comments:

  1. It is interesting to consider that the finale of this series might reveal that it was a dream or imagined in some way, but I find that unlikely. Shows that have ended in such a way in the past, most notably St. Elsewhere, are known for having memorable finales, but many critics argue they are memorable in a bad way.

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  2. I'd also argue that since they're writing it as they go (clearly) it would be unlikely they could guarantee the return of someone like Sean Bean to play an actor from Season 1 to prove it was all a dream. Not to mention: how do you deal with 7 years of aging?? Some can be done with makeup, but it'd be impossible to show any children.

    Anyway...that's not to assume you hold to this theory and I'm attacking it. It just seems implausible to me. Although, I agree there are aspects of this show that do seem dreamlike. Especially some plot lines (Bran the warg...who, by the way, I'm curious about since we STILL haven't seen him since he arrived at his destination...)

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  3. If this entire thing is a dream I will be sorta pissed, but it wouldn't surprise me given the nature of the show.

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  4. Welcome to waiting weekly to get the answers you seek. It gets a bit rough, but the payoff is usually awesome.

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  5. Am I the only one worried about Dany's place with the other widows? I kinda thought it would be death, like they'd show up and it was a huge gravesite or Egyptian temple like place. Brienne and Pod are awesome, and I'm definitely Team Sansa, so I am excited to see what they do together.

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