He's headed to the Riverlands. I assume he'll bring Edmure, Blackfish, and the Brotherhood back into the picture. And reunite with Brienne at some point. Either Jon asks Brienne to escort Sansa to Riverrun or maybe she stays at the Wall and Jon asks Brienne to go find Arya. Brienne is headed back south for some reason.

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He's headed to the Riverlands. I assume he'll bring Edmure, Blackfish, and the Brotherhood back into the picture. And reunite with Brienne at some point. Either Jon asks Brienne to escort Sansa to Riverrun or maybe she stays at the Wall and Jon asks Brienne to go find Arya. Brienne is headed back south for some reason.

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Jamie may have a little more to do in ~2000 pages (assuming it gets written), but we only have ~25 episodes left. And a hell of a lot of main players. Something has to give. And main players gotta start dying.

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When Thoros of Myr raised Beric, no one had to die as a sacrifice first. But Beric didn't need a haircut and a sponge bath first either.

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I'm trying to remember what Thoros said about the first time he was able to bring back Beric, either in the show or book. Maybe Mel's almost absolute loss of faith was needed. Wasn't Thoros pretty much just "priest" in name only, at the time?

Other thoughts: Ned doesn't seem like the type to put such a bad beat down on someone to the point of loss of speech.

Jaime's story isn't done, imo. In the books, he probably has something to do for Stoneheart as penance.

Jaime isn't dying this season, I'd bet. He's going to be front and center with the inevitable fight b/w crown and sparrows. I'd also guess he and Brienne are reunited at some point.

What a great episode.

• Lyanna
• Young Hodor (he was smart!)
• Wildlings rescue
• Ser Strong (he's not just a zombie, he can think!)
• Roose Bolton ends
• Ramsey holding the baby
• Tyrion touches a dragon
• Jon returns

What an incredible 54 minutes of television. And that was just Episode 2. I think we may be in for a really wild ride.

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hen Thoros of Myr raised Beric, no one had to die as a sacrifice first. But Beric didn't need a haircut and a sponge bath first either.

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I'm trying to remember what Thoros said about the first time he was able to bring back Beric, either in the show or book. Maybe Mel's almost absolute loss of faith was needed. Wasn't Thoros pretty much just "priest" in name only, at the time?

Other thoughts: Ned doesn't seem like the type to put such a bad beat down on someone to the point of loss of speech.

Jaime's story isn't done, imo. In the books, he probably has something to do for Stoneheart as penance.

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According to this article, this is what Thoros said about Beric:

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I knelt beside his cold body and said the old words. Not because I believed in them, but he was my friend, and he was dead. And they were the only words I knew. And for the first time in my life, the Lord replied. Beric's eyes opened. And I knew the truth. Our god is the one true god. And all men must serve him.

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When Thoros of Myr raised Beric, no one had to die as a sacrifice first. But Beric didn't need a haircut and a sponge bath first either.

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I'm trying to remember what Thoros said about the first time he was able to bring back Beric, either in the show or book. Maybe Mel's almost absolute loss of faith was needed. Wasn't Thoros pretty much just "priest" in name only, at the time.

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Yes, which had to be especially galling to Mel. Here's this impious "priest" consorting with a band of deserters, little more than a drunkard who doesn't burn unbelievers (he's almost a heretic!) and he's able to raise the dead - a power the Lord of Light had not blessed her with. Story-wise, it's evidence that the Lord of Light has a specific agenda, and the practitioner's "worthiness" doesn't matter. Mel thought that her devotion was responsible for bringing the LoL's plan to fruition. It isn't, and now she knows it. She asked for Jon to be brought back, and not for her own glory or advancement. (There's a Sunday School lesson in there somewhere.)

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Very interesting that Max Von Sydow said a Patchface line

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I missed it, what did he say?

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Bran didn't want to leave and the crow said something about losing one's self under the sea

That wasn't a very "Roose Bolton" death. Show Roose must be a lot dumber and less cautious than book Roose has been so far. Give old Da a hug son.

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How long until Jamie is dead? His story is pretty much over.

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You know you're on the book reader's thread right now right?

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Yes, yes I do. His storyline in the book is drawing to an end as well me thinks.

He's had a good run, moved a lot of plot, but it is time to start consolidating storylines and his is a prime one to get cut.

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I think cersei dies, or retires to Casterly Rock an utterly broken, irredeemable mess.

I think Jamie survives, and finds a measure of peace and happiness in the end.

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Other thoughts: Ned doesn't seem like the type to put such a bad beat down on someone to the point of loss of speech.

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No, he's not the type. At least Adult Ned isn't. Could this be a life-altering formative event for Ned? Maybe it's a tragic accident. Maybe Benjen does it. Somebody is going to ring his bell hard and that will result in his condition.

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That wasn't a very "Roose Bolton" death. Show Roose must be a lot dumber and less cautious than book Roose has been so far. Give old Da a hug son.

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I didn't take it as him being dumb. He underestimated just how reckless Ramsay was and never in a million years would think he was in danger with a major Northern house literally in the room. If somebody wants to kill you THAT badly, you just gonna die.

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Here is what I think (and hope) happens in the North:

Littlefinger takes Winterfell with the army of the Vale. Roose and Fat Walda die, Ramsay is taken prisoner.

Late in the season, Sansa returns to Winterfell, hopefully with Jon and an army of wildlings.

Sansa reveals the truth that LF killed Lady Arryn, LF is executed, and the Vale rallies around Sansa as rightful Wardeness (Queen?) of the North.

Sansa lets Theon kill Ramsay, then sends an army to the Twins to wipe out Walder Frey.

Thoughts? The Starks have been **** on for 5 years, it's about time things take a turn here.

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Well, so far so good. Just happened sooner than expected.

My money is on that Mel didn't raise him. Something else is afoot.

Also, I have to agree that I was kind of hoping that it wouldn't work and Jon Snow is just dead. While I like Jon and I'm rooting for him, it would be a very GOT end to just let him die.

Speaking of there being a major northern house in there with Roose and Ramsay...

Why would the Umbers get behind Bolton? I know it was Karstark in that scene, and their siding with Bolton is obvious. The Umbers, however, were loyal to Robb, and were also victims of the Red Wedding (which Bolton helped plan). If a previous post is correct in saying it's the Umbers telling Ramsay they brought a gift...why would they? Unless they are planning a secret attack?

Also, what blowback will Ramsay's actions create with the Freys?

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My money is on that Mel didn't raise him. Something else is afoot.

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Occam's Razor.

Hasn't GOT shown us that Occams Razor doesn't really apply to this world?

I can't actually think of any examples, but I certainly have the feeling that everything is more complicated in Westeros that it originally appears.

My guess is that Ramsay way overplayed his hand.

I'm really hoping that he thinks that the Umbers are with him and then he's just set up to get GNC'd because he's a vicious moron that has no idea of what is actually going on around him.

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Speaking of there being a major northern house in there with Roose and Ramsay...

Why would the Umbers get behind Bolton? I know it was Karstark in that scene, and their siding with Bolton is obvious. The Umbers, however, were loyal to Robb, and were also victims of the Red Wedding (which Bolton helped plan). If a previous post is correct in saying it's the Umbers telling Ramsay they brought a gift...why would they? Unless they are planning a secret attack?

Also, what blowback will Ramsay's actions create with the Freys?

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Could be the Umber's setting up a secret attack, or trying to curry favor with Ramsay in order to get the Greatjon released from the Twins (assuming he has been kept alive).

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Speaking of there being a major northern house in there with Roose and Ramsay...

Why would the Umbers get behind Bolton? I know it was Karstark in that scene, and their siding with Bolton is obvious. The Umbers, however, were loyal to Robb, and were also victims of the Red Wedding (which Bolton helped plan). If a previous post is correct in saying it's the Umbers telling Ramsay they brought a gift...why would they? Unless they are planning a secret attack?

Also, what blowback will Ramsay's actions create with the Freys?

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This is probably my single biggest confusion right now (if the "next week" teaser is indeed the Umbers delivering Rickon)

The only thing I can think is that they're trying to trick the Bolton's and will eventually turn on them

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Speaking of there being a major northern house in there with Roose and Ramsay...

Why would the Umbers get behind Bolton? I know it was Karstark in that scene, and their siding with Bolton is obvious. The Umbers, however, were loyal to Robb, and were also victims of the Red Wedding (which Bolton helped plan). If a previous post is correct in saying it's the Umbers telling Ramsay they brought a gift...why would they? Unless they are planning a secret attack?

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Ramsey mentioned the Manderlays as one of the houses they need. Could be the Manderlays and the Umbers are part of the Great Northern Conspiracy to remove the Boltons.

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Speaking of there being a major northern house in there with Roose and Ramsay...

Why would the Umbers get behind Bolton? I know it was Karstark in that scene, and their siding with Bolton is obvious. The Umbers, however, were loyal to Robb, and were also victims of the Red Wedding (which Bolton helped plan). If a previous post is correct in saying it's the Umbers telling Ramsay they brought a gift...why would they? Unless they are planning a secret attack?

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Ramsey mentioned the Manderlays as one of the houses they need. Could be the Manderlays and the Umbers are part of the Great Northern Conspiracy to remove the Boltons.

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This is what I think will happen. The north loved Ned and loved his kids. They will have their revenge. And the Karstarks will be brought back into the fold.