'Game of Thrones' review: Visions, oaths and vengeance in 'Oathbreaker'

Visions, oaths and vengeance as the sixth season of Game of Thrones continues with a memorable and exciting instalment.

Jon Snow’s up and about following Melisandre’s spell to bring him back to life but the Lord Commander isn’t quite his old self. When Melisandre asks him what he saw after death a frightened Jon replies, ‘there was nothing at all.’ As Jon steps outside for the first time since his murder it’s rather touching to see him embrace his friends and allies.

Meanwhile, on a ship bound for Horn Hill, Sam and Gilly remain unaware of recent events at Castle Black. It’s a pretty rough journey for Sam too who suffers greatly from seasickness but he’s determined to get Gilly and his child safely into the care of his family. In a show where most relationships tend to end rather violently it’s refreshing to see Sam and Gilly still going strong. For however long it happens to last.

The real talking point of this episode, however, occurs when the Three-Eyed Raven shows Bran a very revealing vision. Ser Arthur Dayne, a cool guest turn from former Holby City star Luke Roberts, guards the Tower of Joy in Dorne where Ned Stark’s sister, Lyanna is being held. Unswayed by Ned’s insistence, Dayne calmly wishes him ‘good fortune in the wars to come’ before engaging him in combat.

As Bran watches the events play out he realises his father hadn’t told him the whole truth of how he bested Dayne who was stabbed in the back of his neck by Howland Reed. It’s a stunning sequence, which provides excellent fan service as well as the highlight of a terrific episode and also serves to progress Bran’s storyline.

Whilst Dany’s fate hangs in the balance as she faces spending the rest of her life with the other widows of fallen Khals, in Meereen Varys interrogates Vala for information on who’s funding the Sons of the Harpy. Ever the sweet negotiator, Varys offers Vala and her son safe passage to Pentos in exchange for her information.

As Tyrion unsuccessfully engages Grey Worm and Missandei in small talk, Varys re-enters and informs them the Wise Masters of Yunkai, Good Masters of Astapor and Free City of Volantis are secretly funding the Harpys.

At King’s Landing, Cersei instructs Qyburn to gather information from wherever people are plotting to take advantage of their recent losses. However, the Small Council spurns Cersei and Jaime when they attempt to sit in on the meeting. Tommen pays a visit to the High Sparrow and demands he allow his mother to visit Myrcella’s resting place in the Great Sept. Despite the King’s anger, the High Sparrow remains calm and explains he is carrying out the will of the Seven and tells him they worked through his grandfather and mother even if they did not acknowledge it.

In Braavos Arya continues sparring with the Waif who questions her about the Hound and the names on her ‘list’. As Arya insists that she is ‘no one’ the blind Stark girl finally succeeds in deflecting the Waif’s onslaught of blows.

When Jaqen offers her a bowl of water from the well to drink, a reluctant Arya accepts after he tells her if she is truly no one there is nothing to fear. As she drinks her sight is restored.

Back in the North, Smalljon Umber brings Rickon Stark and Osha, Natalia Tena and Art Parkinson returning to the show since their last appearance in Season 3, before Ramsay at Winterfell. Pleased with his gift, a malicious Ramsay welcomes Rickon home as Lord Stark. If we know Ramsay at all by now we can be sure his plans for Rickon will not be pleasant ones.

At Castle Black, Jon takes the last words from Thorne, Bowen Marsh, Othell Yarwyck and Olly as they await their execution for the mutiny that resulted in Jon’s death.

‘I fought, I lost, now I rest,’ an unrepentant Thorne accepts his death whilst Jon relinquishes his command of the castle to Edd stating that his watch has ‘ended’.

All in all this is an episode that makes good of its promises and there’s a sense that, after some stalling, events in Game of Thrones are once again on the move.