Game of Thrones: Battle of the Bastards

Battle of the Bastards was hands down the best episode of Game of Thrones this year, and may be one of the best ever. Director Miguel Sapochnik managed to mix Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, 300, and Gladiator together to deliver an excellent episode. The even more astonishing thing is that everything that happens was expected to happen, yet it was still an immensely satisfying hour of TV.

Since this episode is fairly straightforward, I'm not going to recap it. I'm going to recommend you actually watch it, but I am going to run through some of the most memorable moments of Battle of the Bastards.

Attack of the Dragons

I complained about last week's episode feeling like a victim of budget cuts. Well it certainly looks like they funneled all that CGI money into this one because Dany's dragons are full sized, glorious looking, and absolutely lethal creatures that make short work of one of the Master's ships.

The Masters Fall

Dany's demand that one of them should die leads two of the Masters to turn on the third. That cowardice is enough for Grey Worm to send a message on behalf of Dany.

A Deal Between Queens



Dany and Yara bond over wanting to be Queens, having horrible fathers, and even flirt a little. While they only have 100 of the thousand ships Dany needs, a bargain is struck as long as the Ironborn stop their reaving and piracy.

Ramsay's Games are the Worst Games

I think everyone who was watching this scene unfold was yelling at their TV screen, "Zig zag!!!" Poor Rickon. Did he even have any lines this season?

Jon Snow is Screwed

After Rickon is murdered and Jon is completely out of position having fallen into Ramsay's trap, he only has one thing he can do. Draw his sword and hope for the best as an army of horses gallop towards him.

Another Continuous Shot

Back in season 5, The Watchers on the Wall had this amazing continuous tracking shot that lasted about 45 seconds. Jon has another one here all to himself and it's amazing!

Claustrophobia

When Jon was being literally buried alive by bodies, even I had trouble breathing!

Tormund Goes Mike Tyson on SmallJon

SmallJon, the colossal prick who gave up Rickon finally got what he deserved.

The Cavalry's Here

Just like everyone expected, the Army of the Vale came in at the last moment to save the day. And just look at that smug smile on Littlefinger's face.

Wun Wun Opens the Door

I think Wun Wun had one line in the whole series, but you know what? So did Hodor. That's gonna be one lasting impression of him busting open that door.

The Battle of the Bastards

In this corner, the flayer, the father killer, the dog starver, the mentally unstable self proclaimed Lord of the North, Ramsay Bolton!

And in this corner, back from the dead with a new haircut and new clothes thanks to his sister, Jon Snow!

Sansa's Smirk

After Sansa feeds Ramsay to his own dogs, she calmly walks away and shows a devious little smile. Finally a happy moment for the girl who's pretty much been shit on this entire series.

And in the preview for next week's season finale titled The Winds of Winter, the Frey's and Lannisters celebrate their alliance, Cersei stands trial, and Davos confronts Melisandre about Shireen.