Is it just us, or did the Game of Thrones Season 6 premiere fall a little flat?
Sure, it ended with a twist that few saw coming, but at times, it felt like the writers were more concerned with recapping the events of last season and setting the stage for what’s to come than with crafting a compelling episode. But hey, if that’s what they felt they had to do in order to prep us for what looks like an epic week two, we’re perfectly alright with that:
While it’s not often that we react to a GoT preview clip with anything less than giddy squeals, the clip above has even more psyched than usual, as it looks as though this week’s installment will pack all the dramatic fireworks that were missing from Sunday night’s occasionally limp offering.
In addition to the long-awaited return of Hodor (who doesn’t appear in the trailer, but c’mon, you can’t have Bran without Hodor!) the episode, simply titled “Home,” seems like it may offer some payoff on the many conflicts that were set up in “The Red Woman.”
While the premiere reminded us that Ramsay is in hot pursuit of Sansa, Arya is a blinded beggar, and Cersei is out for revenge, this episode seems as it will deliver on the explosions that were promised when those fuses were lit in Season 5.
Or maybe we’ve just been taken in by some clever editing from the HBO marketing team. Who knows!
All we can say for sure is that if you’ve always dreamed of having your own hulking enforcer who follows your every command, this should be the episode for you.
In addition to Hodor (Have we mentioned that Hodor is back?), it looks like we might finally see some badassery from the Frankensteined version of Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane.
You may recall that the Hound’s hulking brother was almost killed by Oberyn Martell (RIP, Red Viper) in Season 5, before essentially being brought back to life the creepy Qyburn.
He’s been following Cersei around like a puppy ever since, but now we may finally get to see him in attack dog mode.
Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are nothing if not masters at ratcheting up tension.
They know when to tease and when to satisfy and something tells us that this that after last week’s appetizer, this week’s GoT will feel like a four-course meal.
Watch Game of Thrones online to get caught up in time for Season 6 Episode 2.
