‘Game of Thrones’ review: 'Book of the Stranger' is a triumphant episode

With his murder avenged and his position as Lord Commander given over to Edd, Jon Snow planned to depart Castle Black and go southwards as the sixth season of Game of Thrones continued.

However, Jon’s getaway was delayed when his half-sister, Sansa suddenly turned up with Brienne and Pod in tow.

It’s a reunion several seasons in the making and a rare moment of positivity for the endlessly bleak series. A testament to the way in which Kit Harrington and Sophie Turner truly embody their characters is that you utterly believe in their joy to be around each other after so long apart. It’s also a chance for the characters to reflect on the paths that led them here with Sansa admitting, ‘we should never have left Winterfell.’ Well, it’s perhaps a bit late for regrets now.

Once the niceties and nostalgia were out the way, Sansa proposed taking back Winterfell from the clutches of the Bolton’s. Jon wasn’t having any of it though and moaned that he was tired of fighting. Sansa’s stark defiance and unwavering determination proved one thing – she’s not a little girl any more. Meanwhile, a suspicious Brienne informed Ser Davos and Melisandre that she was the one to execute Stannis Baratheon out of vengeance for Renly.

Elsewhere, Westeros’ most well travelled man, Littlefinger returned along with his wandering accent to the Vale seeking the aid of their soldiers against Ramsay. There was no love lost between him and Lord Royce who found himself at the mercy of Lord Arryn much to the amusement of Littlefinger. Fortunately for Lord Royce, a disinterested Lord Arryn allowed him one last chance to prove his loyalty to the family.

Over in Meereen, Tyrion opted for the diplomatic approach as the Queen’s advisors sought for a way to cut of the Sons of Harpy’s funding. Meeting with the Masters of Slaver’s Bay, Tyrion brought his usual gift for sweet talk. ‘There haven’t been slaves in Westeros for hundreds of years and I grew up richer than any of you,’ said Tyrion in a speech obviously designed to endear himself to them although it perhaps didn’t receive the reception he’d hoped for.

In order to broker some sort of peace, Tyrion offered the Masters a deal. They would be given seven years to end the practice of slavery in return for their allegiance. This proposal didn’t sit well with Missandei and Grey Worm who both remembered the indignity of being slaves. Whilst Tyrion sympathised with them the importance of securing peace outweighed their objections.

Daario and Jorah arrived at Vaes Dothrak in their continued search for Danaerys. As they prepared to sneak into the Dothraki camp and rescue their Queen, Daario learnt of Jorah’s greyscale. Despite their careful planning it wasn’t long before they found themselves embroiled in a violent scuffle, which nearly cost Jorah his life. When at last Danaerys reunited with her advisors she had a plan to liberate the Dothraki from their power mad Khals. In a wonderful show of her old ‘I shall fuck you up,’ defiance, Danaerys deliberately set the Temple of the Dosh Khaleen ablaze and emerged unhurt from the flames as the mesmerised Dothraki bowed down to her.

At King’s Landing, Margaery spoke with the High Sparrow who asked her where she would go if he let her out right now. As expected, Margaery told him she’d go to her brother, her husband and her family, which the High Sparrow saw as seeking out sin. After telling a rather longwinded story of the path his life had been on before he became the leader of a religious cult, the High Sparrow allowed Margaery to visit her brother, Loras in his cell. Loras’ incarceration hadn’t suited him particularly well and Margaery was shocked to see how eviscerated her once proud brother had become.

In the castle, Cersei and Tommen discussed how to deal with the High Sparrow whilst ensuring Margaery’s absolute safety. You can’t help but smile at Cersei’s response when Tommen questions his mother’s personal feelings towards Margaery. ‘Whether I like her or not is completely unimportant,’ replies Cersei delicately. Oh, but we know you don’t we, Cersei? It’ll become important when you need it to be. Despite some initial disagreement, Cersei and Jaime were able to persuade Kevan and Lady Olenna to go along with their plan to destroy the High Sparrow.

In contrast to the happy reunion between Jon and Sansa there was a less than warm welcome for Theon when he arrived back in Pyke. Yara felt, quite understandably, that her brother had caused her a lot of unnecessary bother in her failed attempt to rescue him from Ramsay’s clutches. Suitably chastised, Theon offered her his support for her bid to become the first Queen of the Ironborn.

But what Game of Thrones episode would be complete without a little bit of wanton cruelty from Westeros’ unhinged psychopath, Ramsay?

After her unexpected return to the show, Osha foolhardily tried to assassinate Ramsay only to receive a knife to the neck for her trouble. Back at Castle Black, a message from Ramsay arrived for Jon in which they learnt of Rickon’s whereabouts. ‘A monster has taken our home and our brother,’ cried Sansa. At last, Jon agreed. They must take back Winterfell.

All in all it was a triumphant episode, which managed to move the on-going story arc significantly forward. With so many players coming out of the shadows it now feels as if the wars to come are just around the corner. However, there may be too many irons in the fire.