The Red Woman

If you look back on previous seasons, Melisandre has been given an exclusive preview of various plot developments but like any classic 'tinfoil theory' on a message board, has misinterpreted them. Despite this, the ending of this destined to be classic episode is a window into Melisandre's true powers and tells us that while human vice has threatened her clarity of perception, she does have a divine purpose as her centuries old survival proves.

Perhaps those who doubted that Melisandre's blood magic ritual in Season 3 could have set the Red and Purple Wedding events in motion will now reconsider the vital role of this character in clearing the chessboard for the true war to commence. With all of these engrossing plot lines in motion, it seems to me that characters like Melisandre and Bran Stark have always served as the essential players in a much deeper story, so whilst the Littlefingers and Varyses manipulate the game of thrones, Melisandre envisions the song of ice and fire in which the great game will eventually be consumed.

Through actions both hideous (the sacrifice of Shireen) and heroic (her validation of Jon Snow), Melisandre has moved through the series as a serene constant: highly organised and efficient and inured by an enormous responsibility. With her elegant gravitas, Carice van Houten has manifested the mystical potency of this saga as few others could and if the ending of this stunning episodes proves anything, it is that she has excelled in making the mythical heart of the story come alive for us all.

One of the best things about Game Of Thrones' return is that the show doesn't waste a single minute. Immediately, it picks up immediately where it left off last season, and that's all the way across the board. After a great tracking shot beginning at the Wall and sweeping over Castle Black, Jon Snow is the first thing we see, laying on his back in the frozen snow in a puddle of his own darkened, drying blood. Ghost howls mournfully from within his pen. The snow falls and winter isn't coming, it's definitely here, and the bodies are falling about as quickly as the snow. One of the more stand-out pieces of this episode involves, surprisingly, Sansa and Reek/Theon. Pursued by Bolton men and hounds, fleeing into the frozen forest, wading across icy rivers (which looked really uncomfortable to shoot), and, finally, getting cornered by men with hounds. Theon has worked hard to redeem himself, and that yields dividends in this moment. He offers to distract the hounds while Sansa flees. Of course, unlike breaking Sansa out of Winterfell, this is a bad idea horribly executed, but Theon deserves some credit for making a bold move. It's a really stunning heroic moment, with Brienne once again coming to the aid of the Starks when needed the most. It's a great fight scene, Brienne and Pod are appropriately heroic, and even Theon gets in on the action, saving a disarmed Pod from the last of the Bolton foot soldiers. It's also much needed, as it finalises Theon's redemption and actually gives Sansa a glimmer of hope to offset some of last season's Stark abuse. It's also some much-needed positivity in an episode where it seems like every storyline is heading towards the violence and disaster. Director Jeremy Podeswa crafts a great episode here, where he picks up where last season left off without too much catching up. It's always a thrill to come back to Westeros, but for every laugh-out-loud moment like Varys and Tyrion walking through Meereen or a spear through the back of Trystane Martell's head, there's something else happening that's just as ominous or unsettling. The episode has plenty of breathing space, and the balance between the various story lines is just right. The Night's Watch is probably the A plot, but there's not too much of it. Jon and the Night's Watch are headed towards violence, as Dolorous Edd is off to round up an army of wildlings to fight against the very traitors who put the knife to the Lord Commander and Davos is so desperate for help he's willing to turn to the very woman he's actively tried to kill, Melisandre. Ramsay hinges his future on his ability to recapture Sansa Stark, who Roose needs to hold the North against a potential Lannister army (and we've already discussed how that goes for Ramsay). Daenerys is captured by Dothraki, fated for a one-way trip to Vaes Dothrak with all the other Khaleesi widows, and her only hope is a grayscale-infected Jorah Mormont and Daario, who seems more interested in poking at Jorah than in saving his lover. Meanwhile, in King's Landing and in Dorne, royal blood is being shed as a continent prepares for all-out war.

While the plot did not progress much in this episode, mostly setting up what is to come, the episode was still eventfull with a couple og memorable moments!

The episode picks up right where we left off in the shocking finale of season five! From there we get emotional moments as well as some thrilling scenes!

I really enjoyed Cerseis scene when she reacts to Myrcellas death! Its her showing vulnerability and actual emotions as she reflects on herself!

Brienne also got great treatment, and the same goes for Danearys who even in chains shows no sign of fear!

Though i always love how the "Sand Snake" comes to qn abrupt end cause nobody liked them in season five!

The last scene gave me "The Shining" vibes.

Overall it leaves you excited for more!

Last night, I saw the season premiere of Game of Thrones and from what I've got, it's really good. There are two problems I do have with this episode. I'm not going to spoil anything to those who haven't seen it, so I'm just going to point out the flaws and positive aspects.

The plot progression does get very slow and didn't advance some of the story lines left by the fifth season. Also, some of the characters were given little to do and weren't fleshed out enough. Maybe things will get better throughout the sixth season, but only time will tell. For now, everything else turned out fine.

The performances are still good, especially Lena Headey who shines with her emotional performance, the script is fine for the most part, the directing is very solid, the scenery is still gorgeous, the sets and costumes are still lavish to look at, and the music score from Ramin Djawadi is very beautiful. So, overall, not great, but a good start to Season 6. :)

Came to 'Game of Thrones' fairly late in the game and due to being so busy the binge-watching was gradual. Have found myself truly loving the show, very quickly becoming one of my favourites. It totally lives up to the hype and not only does it do the brilliant source material justice (a rarity in television) it is on its own merits one of the finest, most addictive and consistently compelling shows in recent years and quality-wise it puts a lot of films in recent years to shame.

Although it is a long way from being the best, or one of the best, season openers for 'Game of Thrones', Season 6 starts off very promisingly. It is easy to see why it has been positively reviewed by critics but also why it is divisive among fans and book fans. It does depart from the source material, especially in its treatment of Doran, even though somebody who always judges adaptations on their own terms not doing anything further with such an interesting character in the source material with more to give was a missed opportunity. There are certainly far better episodes in the season and of 'Game of Thrones' in general, but to me "The Red Woman" was very good, though with a couple of reservations.

"The Red Woman" is at its weakest with the Dorne storyline. It was one of the biggest problems with the previous season and there is not much improvement. It is not particularly interesting and some of it is even cartoonish. Even more disappointing was its cheap treatment of Doran, one that was very rushed and abrupt and he deserved better.

With such a lot going on in terms of story and character interaction, "The Red Woman" definitely would have benefitted from either being longer as an episode or having the events spread out as a two parter or something. Parts did feel hasty and it would perhaps have made the Dorne storyline better.

A huge amount works here however. Character interaction-wise, faring best are Jaime and Cersei and in particular Sansa and Brienne, both intense and poignant. Loved what was done with Daenerys, even though brief, and felt sorry too for Arya. Davos shining more than he has been in a while was a plus as well. Another standout is the shock Melisandre reveal, that was harrowing.

It is an episode that isn't action-heavy and doesn't advance existing storylines, with the main question on everyone's lips from "Mother's Mercy" being answered early on, but it sets up what is to follow well.

'Game of Thrones' has not faltered in the acting stakes and there is not a single bad performance. Standout performances are Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Emilia Clarke and Maisie Williams, while Carice Van Houten gives her best acting to date.

Visually, "The Red Woman" looks amazing, as one would expect for 'Game of Thrones'. The scenery is throughout spectacular, the sets are hugely atmospheric and beautiful on the eyes with a real meticulous eye for detail and the costumes suit the characters to a tee. The make-up is beautifully done. As well the cinematography and editing, which are cinematic quality as well.

One cannot talk about "The Red Woman" without mentioning the thematically, orchestrally and atmospherically multi-layered music scoring and the unforgettable main theme. Again, worthy of a high-budget fantasy/action/drama film.

The writing is thought-provoking and there are no embarrassing lines this time (certainly not on the same level as that Sand Snake line in "Mother's Mercy". The storytelling mostly is passionate and sensitive, underwhelming only in Dorne.

Overall, promising and very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox