What I’m Watching: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones: Season 6, Episode 5 “The Door” (B+)

This show very often has shocking episodes with huge bloody moments that get talked about for weeks and months on the Internet. This episode contained a major reveal that didn’t involve anyone dying brutally, but instead defined the “Hodor” moniker that has served as the name for the big lug who travels with Bran. The way in which it played out was pretty incredible, as Bran got very scared when a White Walker touched him in his vision and then the whole army of White Walkers showed up moments later to wreak havoc. Bran staying in his vision to witness the man who would become Hodor’s seizure and his subsequent repetition of “Hold the door” before he truncated it was extremely dramatic, and the epic music certainly helped. I’ve never been so fond of this more supernatural side of the show, but in this case I was very impressed by how it was done. I also like the fact that there are not one but two female leaders whose male siblings stand by them as the figureheads of their operations. It was great to see Theon returned to a great state and united with his sister in flight from their uncle. Sansa is affirming her power and determined to stand up to Ramsay’s brutality and not be abused any more by Baelish, and though Brienne won’t be there to protect her, I think that Ned Stark’s descendants are looking like they may well be headed towards a more victorious place soon.