It is no exaggeration to say that the sixth season of “Game of Thrones” has brought more captivating moments than many other TV series throughout its airing history. Undoubtedly, this sentiment is shared not only by the fans of the series but also by the loyal readers of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. The sixth season not only caught up with the story but also ventured beyond the plot lines established in the author’s novels. The shocking twists and brutal deaths have left audiences “gasping” more times than one can count.
Below is a list of the top 16 most memorable moments from season 6 that will make you exclaim, “What the heck is happening right now?!” while we eagerly await the seventh season.
HOLD THE DOOOOOOOOR!
When Bran, Meera, and the Three-Eyed Raven are trapped by the White Walkers, Bran is stuck in a vision. Meera has to drag Bran’s lifeless body out of danger, screaming at Hodor to “Hold the door!” to prevent them from getting through.
At the same time, in the vision, Bran is following a young Wylis, yet he still hears Meera’s voice. Her shouts echo in Wylis’ mind as he starts to collapse, continuously repeating “Hold the door.” In the present, Hodor is crushed by the White Walkers. In the vision, Wylis keeps repeating the words that ultimately led to his fate: “Hodor.”
Bran does not witness Hodor’s death directly, but it is clear that he has just witnessed Wylis’s demise and transformation into Hodor.
JON SNOW RETURNS FROM THE DEAD
In the last season, we saw the hero of our story die and come back as a much more powerful Jon Snow. Thanks to the magic of Melisandre, Jon not only returns to life but is even more “badass” than before.
According to the Night’s Watch rules, when a brother dies, “his watch is ended.” Jon Snow remembers those words and then departs The Wall.
BATTLE OF THE STARKS
Jon Snow vs. Ramsay Bolton is arguably the most intense battle in the series so far. Ramsay may have the upper hand, but Jon has a heart of pure determination… and he crushes Ramsay right after brutally killing Jon’s little brother, Rickon Stark, right in front of him.
Despite being under pressure and facing the overwhelming forces, the Stark army eventually prevails, but only because of Petyr Baelish’s intervention (not due to Robert Arryn, mind you).
MELISANDRE’S TRUE FORM
In the novels, there have been many hints indicating that this priestess of R’hllor is not “immortal” as she claims. And in season six, we witness a shocking revelation. Yes, it’s quite shocking!
BENJEN STARK IS ALIVE! (SORT OF)
Meera is protecting Bran’s lifeless body, and when she is trapped by the White Walkers, it seems like all hope is lost. But suddenly, a familiar figure appears and saves her.
That figure is Bran’s uncle – Benjen Stark. He had been killed north of The Wall, but was saved by the Children of the Forest, preventing him from fully turning into a Wight.
WHO’S THE REAL BADDIE? SANSA STARK
Ramsay Bolton, the most despicable character in the series, met his end in a fittingly gruesome manner. After being subjected to Ramsay’s cruelty and torture, Sansa finally gets her revenge by letting Ramsay be devoured by his own hounds.
DAENERYS BURNS THE KHALS
At the start of season 6, Daenerys is captured by the Dothraki and taken to Dosh Khaleen, where she finds herself in a similar predicament to that of season 2. Here, the Khals judge her for being a former khaleesi. Before their cruel taunts, Daenerys simply smiles and sets the entire room ablaze. No one knows yet: Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, has a unique power that is immunity to fire. She leaves no Khal alive as she walks out of the burning building to reclaim her title as the Dothraki leader.
With her new army and her ever-growing dragons, Dany returns to Meereen and begins her campaign to conquer Westeros, turning the landscape of this region into a more beautiful place than what her ancestors created.
ARYA BECOMES “NO ONE”… AND RETURNS AS ARYA
To become a Faceless assassin, Arya must learn to fight without looking. Although she has to endure a lot of “brutal” training from The Waif, she ultimately masters this deadly skill, earning the respect of Jaqen H’ghar and joining the ranks of “No One.”
However, as fate would have it, she refuses to carry out an assassination mission and becomes the target of The Waif. In a thrilling final showdown in the darkened halls, Arya uses her beloved Needle to triumph after she dismantles The Waif’s illusion, declaring, “I am Arya Stark of Winterfell. And I am going home.”
BRIENNE TO THE RESCUE
Brienne becomes the heroic figure (as always) who rescues Sansa and Reek/Theon when they are about to be captured by Ramsay’s Bolton army. Here, Brienne’s sword has proven its loyalty to Sansa Stark. She also completed her promise to Catelyn Stark by returning the Stark family to their rightful place alongside House Tully.
THE HOUND RETURNS
The return of The Hound, a.k.a Sandor Clegane, was unexpected, as we thought he was long gone in season 4. Although he was injured by Brienne and confronted Arya, The Hound somehow survived.
At this point, the pent-up rage within him has transformed into a more self-reflective persona, but surely he won’t stay peaceful for long.
ELLARIA SAND AND THE SANDSNAKES RISE TO POWER
As readers of the novels already know, Doran Martell had little ambition regarding the “game of thrones,” and it was clear that he did not align with Ellaria Sand and the daughters of his late lover, Oberyn Martell. After murdering Doran, the Martell heir, Trystane, and seizing control, they rise to power in Dorne.
We are yet to see how they will fulfill their foreign policy or legal ambitions, but they have already allied with House Tyrell and House Targaryen.
PEACE AT LAST, OSHA AND RICKON
After being captured by Ramsay’s forces, Osha is brutally killed after her escape attempt fails, and Rickon Stark is also murdered right before Jon’s eyes during the battle at Winterfell.
GOODBYE “THE WOLF” ROOSE AND RAMSAY
The death of Ramsay Bolton was a long-awaited justice, especially after he had a son, ensuring his legacy would not continue. This tyrant murdered his own father, only to have his own hounds turn on him, and ultimately, he succumbed to the very cruelty he had inflicted on others.
CERSEI’S RECKONING
The Faith of the Seven had been under the control of King Tommen and Queen Margaery (who had been trying to manipulate them), but not Cersei. Despite being humiliated and shamed, she was not deterred and plotted her revenge. When The Faith, led by her brother Lancel, dragged her to trial, Cersei still had a formidable ally, Ser Gregor Clegane, and she aimed to use this “Frankenstein” creature to eliminate her enemies, proving that she is not someone to be trifled with. By the end of season 6, we witness her rise to the throne, having eliminated the High Sparrow and other political threats.
EURON GREYJOY’S RETURN
Euron Greyjoy is the younger brother of Aeron and his first act upon returning is to kill his brother and seize the throne from Yara. Fortunately, Yara and Theon manage to escape his ruthless pursuit and head to Meereen. Here, they form an alliance with Daenerys to reclaim the Iron Islands. However, as fans of the novels know, Euron is a much darker character than portrayed.
THE BATTLE AT THE TOWER OF JOY
Through Bran Stark’s eyes, we witness some of the most crucial moments in the story “A Game of Thrones” from the series “A Song of Ice and Fire.” With the revelations scattered throughout the series, this event finally confirms the theory: Jon Snow is indeed the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen.
AND THE MOST DISAPPOINTING PART OF SEASON 6: TYRION … DOES NOTHING AT ALL
Tyrion struggles to manage Meereen in Dany’s absence, and does a decent job of it. However, compared to the standards of someone who previously led the battle at Blackwater, Tyrion seems to… not do much to assist the defense of Meereen’s city – especially considering the other cities that have not exactly followed the treaty he established.
Tyrion once claimed to be one of the most cunning minds in Westeros, but what in Essos has made him turn into this?
According to Geek & Sundry
