GoT Recap: Freezy Freakies 

: I think we’re gonna need a bigger piece of dragonglass.

finds Jon fighting the biggest (and scariest) battle yet — and losing big — against the frozen army of the undead. Elsewhere, forget the thrilla in Manilla: It was a scene in Meereen when Tyrion Lannister

To find out how both of these situations resolved, read on as we recap “Hardhome.”

HOUSE TARGARYEN | Daenerys is skeptical that Tyrion, who stands next to Jorah before her in her official chamber, is worth keeping around — especially because his family killed hers. “I am the greatest Lannister killer of all time,” he points out as he launches into an impressive bid to become one of her advisers. OK, smart guy, she says, what should become of Ser Jorah? Tyrion weighs the situation. On one hand, “He worships you. He is in love with you, I think,” Lannister points out, BECAUSE HE HAS EYES. Look at the painfully hurt looks Jorah and Daenerys exchange while Tyrion talks! Still, killing those who are devoted to you doesn’t engender devotion in others, Tyrion says, so Dany lets the old knight live — but banishes him from the city. As he’s escorted away, the heartbroken Jorah sees that the greyscale on his arm is spreading. He later finds the man who bought him and Tyrion and asks for another chance to fight in front of the queen.

That done, Tyrion and Daenerys share some wine and commiserate about having vicious fathers. “I had given up on life until Varys convinced me you might be worth living for. If you chop off my head, well, my final days will have been interesting,” Tyrion says, in a conversation that is pretty damn great. The upshot: She lets him live and brings him on as an adviser; he quickly gets to work serving up some real talk about how she’s virtually without support in Westeros, but she indicates that she wants to create a new world order: “I’m not going to stop the wheel, I’m going to break the wheel.”

HOUSE STARK: A-GIRL-IS-BECOMING-SOMETHING-ELSE EDITION | Arya’s education continues as she adopts the persona of an oyster-seller named Lana whom Jaqen sends to assassinate a crooked ship owner at the docks.

HOUSE LANNISTER | Fornication, treason, incest and the murder of King Robert — those are the charges being brought against a

rough looking Cersei, who remains defiant in her dirty little cell. Her shady maester visits with the news that everything is going south at the castle, so maybe she should confess and end it all? A straggly-haired Cersei answers that with a heaping helping of “NOPE,” so he leaves and cryptically says, “The work continues.”

Later, we watch a parched Cersei desperately lap water off the ground rather than confess and sip from the dipper she’s offered. Yeah, I feel a little bad for you, Queen Mum, but damn if that visual isn’t really, really satisfying.

HOUSE STARK: THE-TRUTH-WILL-OUT EDITION | Sansa and Theon have a little catch-up session, in which he recaps everything that happened to him in the time they’ve been apart. She’s unsympathetic — “If it weren’t for you, I’d still have a family. If I could do what Ramsay did to you right here right now, I would,” — she spits, but when he slips that the boys he burned weren’t Bran and Rickon, he inadvertently gives her more hope than she’s had in a very long time. Now let’s just hope he doesn’t run to Ramsay with news of his verbal diarrhea…

: George R.R. Martin Weighs in on Sansa’s Horrific Twist

THE MEN OF THE WALL | Ollie goes to Sam to ask for some clarity on Jon’s mission beyond The Wall. “How can he trust them?” says the boy, whose family was killed by a band of wildlings led by Tormund, and he’s got a point. But Sam preaches the wildlings-are-people-too gospel, adding that Jon knows what’s best for everyone.

true as Jon, Giantsbane and the rest arrive at Hardhome, a giant settlement of free folk. The wildlings there don’t understand how Tormund and Jon are allies, and when the leader gets nasty about it, Big Red beats the life out of him — literally. “Gather the elders, and let’s talk,” Giantsbane says. (Ha!)

Jon then makes an impassioned plea for both groups to work together to beat the white walkers and the wights they command, and when he passes around a satchel of dragonglass, they start to listen. “The long night is coming and the dead come with it,” he tells them. And with Giantsbane’s seal of approval, many of them — though not the Thenns in attendance — slowly get on board.

The exodus is happening when suddenly all of the dogs in the encampment start barking. It soon becomes clear that the wights are attacking en masse, which speeds up the departure considerably. Those little dead jerks are persistent, climbing the gates, tunneling under walls and generally massacring the Wildlings who haven’t been able to get on boats. Even though he realizes that the situation likely will not end well, Jon leads a charge of Night’s Watch men to the front of the battle to buy the escapees more time.

Let’s shorthand the fight: Blood, snow, dead things, running, arrows, creepy zombie children, a giant, bones, more dead things. At one point, Jon realizes that figures on horseback are watching the melee from afar — he and the Thenn run into one of those creatures when they go to retrieve the bag of dragonglass. The thing (similar to what Sam saw at the end of Season 2) looks like the bad guy from

and lands a bunch of good blows on Jon… until Jon pulls out his sword made of Valryian steel and turns the creature to dust.

The battle is beautifully shot and terrible to watch; Jon and his men get away at the last moment, but this is in no way a victory. Another one of the commander dead guys (who I am led to believe is  known as the Night’s King) strides to the end of the pier and locks eyes with a retreating Jon, then with a gesture raises

. The scene is chilling in more ways than one.

Now it’s your turn. What did you think of the episode? Sound off in the comments!

Oh. My. God. I thought the talk between Tyrion and Dany was excellent, and then Jon got to Hardhome. Amazingly filmed, I was on the edge of my seat. I thought it was a brilliant episode.

Yes! I was ready to say “A+” episode just seeing Tyrion and Dany…. and then. Holy White Walkers! Maybe the best episode of the entire series.

I literally forgotten about Tyrion and Daenerys by the time the hardhome battle was done. It was that good!

Great first meeting, those two were born to rule together. Sorry I had forgotten how awesome the possibility could be in a world where the White Walkers aren’t roaming the earth.

Best episode of the season!!! Tyrion and Daenerys. Cersei drinking from the floor. And then that battle. Was amazing. That kids were creepy as hell. At least they know now two ways to kill the NW. Can’t wait for next week.

The commanders are the Whitewalkers, the ice zombies are called Wights. That’s why only dragonglass or dragonsteel kill them.

whose that sword was? i mean the one from valerian steel?

The sword is named Longclaw, it was given by John’s Predecessor (the old bear / Lord-Commander Moromont) in season 1 after John saved his life.

Call my broker! 10,000 shares of Valerian steel, stat! We’re gonna make a killing…

If this season doesn’t end the way A Dance With Dragons ended, then I don’t even know what we’re watching for.

as George r.r. martin has said. the books tell it’s own story, while the tv show tells it in it’s own way. since there have been so many deviations already from the book it might just end in it’s own way.

Exactly. As a book reader/lover and a shower watcher/lover – I find them both compelling. I don’t view them as one and the same thing. I view them as their own separate tellings of a story. Much in the same way I can read a dozen biographies on the same person and come away with a dozen different perspectives.

If you’re trying to make the argument that “For the Watch…!” isn’t a compelling way to end the season then I don’t have anything left to say to you.

I know! Isn’t great book purist?! It’s called suspense! Soak it in! ;p

HBO’s producers and GRRM have always maintained that the show will end the same way as the book series ..but the path to get there will be different. So no, I wouldnt put too much stock into how book 5 of the series ends.

I loved that episode! Now I’m sad knowing that there are only 2 more this season.

Tormund actually says “Gather the elders, and let’s talk”, not “Gather the others, and let’s talk”.

It’s not that desarming until you realize those are the elders: only people about Mance age. There are not old people: wildlings don’t get to live long enough to reach old age. And, as it stands, they may not live long enough to reach adulthood soon.

Great episode. However am I the only who kept thinking of Fran from Dodgeball when Arya was Lana?

I actually thought she looked like Frida Kahlo

Tonight’s episode was ridiculously amazing. Holy crap, the last 20 minutes or so, I’m not sure I took a breath. White Walker General is like, “Come at me, bro”. Best episode of the season.

Actually, I saw it as a ¿Now or later? scenario. He has already won, they are giving him every soldier he needs. And people don’t live forever: sooner or later, Jon will be one of them.

Just like those people that were alive just a few moments ago.

You mean like “We are the walking dead” ??? I think I heard that somewhere…..hmm lol

Excellent episode. I know she didn’t have a ton of screentime this ep, but Maisie Williams should be the next big thing. What an outstanding talent.

The Wight Avalanche, what an amazing visual. I don’t think I moved or blinked for the last 2o minutes of the show. I just sat there with my mouth open as the credits rolled, GoT smacked.

This is what we’ve been waiting for!!! Excellent! Thrilling! Tyrion! Dany! Sansa! Jon Snow! White Walkers!

I assume that Cold-meanie was the Night’s King? Loved those few minutes. He was all “Bring it Jon Snow.” and Jon’s all “Well, this sucks.” I’m going to have to stay up and watch the West Coast feed of HBO again just because I can’t believe it’s over. Two more episodes?! No. Just not fair.

any book read or forum lurker yell out “Lightbringer!” when Jon’s sword held it’s own? I had the urge to call Melisandre and start comparing Azor Ahai notes.

I definitely did. Haha. I’ve seen other people say it’s just because it was Valryrian steel, but I don’t recall it working like that in the books.

was it fire or the sword Jon used when he saved Mormont? It’s been a while since I read that bit. Got to find out. Regardless…. Even if it worked because it’s valryian steel, it still fits the prophecy. For me anyway. I can’t wait for next week (and book 6)

We don`t know for sure in the books, Sam finds in a book about dragonsteel, so Jon says valiryan steel? And sam says it could be. And thats it, so I was so exited about that scene. Meli get yout visions check!

Jon used fire in the books to save Mormont, burning his hands in the process. Mormont gave him Longclaw after that, for saving his life.

Outstanding episode in every way. Each confrontation was pivotal and revealing, and the finish was epic. Just…wow.

All I could say the last 5 minutes was Oh S*&t, Oh S*&t. AMAZING!!!!!

HO. LY. SH**. I don’t know how many times I said that out loud during the last 15 min. That battle was epic and tragic and oddly reminded me of Titanic. I couldn’t figure out how Jon was able to survive & smash his attacker to pieces (I think I yelled at my tv, “Why did that work?!”) but aha Valyrian steel! I rely on these recaps to explain some of this stuff that obviously goes over my head.

Besides the battle, there was some fantasic dialogue in this ep, particularly between Tyrion & Dany. But I think my favorite exchange came from the wildlings:

“My ancestors would spit on me if I broke bread with a Crow.”

“So would mine but f*** ’em, they’re dead.”

Ha! Actually that whole scene was filled with great dialogue: Tormund defending Jon’s shooting of Mance, Jon’s rousing speech to get the wildlings on his side and “give the f***ers a fight,” Tormund saying Jon “is prettier than both my daughters.” Great scene. Great episode. Gonna rewatch it right now!

All the dialogue with the wildlings was fantastic! Loved the dialogue you mentioned! I also loved how they kept calling Jon pretty. <3 :P

And here I was basking in the awesomeness of Danaerys and Tyrion’s first conversation and then those last 20 minutes happened! HOLY SH**!!! One of the best episodes of the show. And getting to see Cersei suffer and having to drink water off the floor was icing on the cake. I have a question though, who’s sword was that that Jon picked up and was it made of dragon material? Is that why he was able to kill the Whitewalker?….Also, my one complaint is the Arya storyline. It’s so damn dull and annoying. It feels like just a bunch of cleaning and talking. A friend told me what happens to her in the book. Not sure if he was just messing with me because what he told me sounded pretty stupid, but I just want them to get to the point with that story or move on.

Agree about Arya. She used to be one of my faves but now her storyline is a snooze fest.

Yes snooze fest indeed. So disappointed with her storyline so far. It makes me miss the Hound. At least they had interesting banter.

To me, it’s all about the tension between Arya and Jaqen. It’s almost like he is only Jaqen when she’s around and goes back to be no one when she’s not. Like falling in love, except it’s falling into an identity. She wakes up something in him at the same time he sparks something in her. Since it wasn’t on the books, it makes their plot something completely new and original.

it was his own sword, it was knocked out of his hand when he was looking for the dragon glass. and the sword is made of valyrian steel. the part about it being able to kill a white walker is just another mystery the writers may explain in next week’s episode

Excellent episode! I was having doubts about this season but it has been a slow burn with things teeing up quite nicely for the various dramatic cliffhangers and power scenes for all the main characters that take place in AFFC and ADWD. But which will be the last scene of the finale? My prediction is that it will be the scene at the Wall and in the show- Ollie =Wick and does his deed.

Did anybody else wonder how in the heck that giant was going to get on one of those ships lol????

I was more concerned for his survival: a dead giant only means a dead giant soldier on the white walker’s side. Something tells me no one on those boats would’ve survived a dead giant soldier. I’m glad he’s still alive

for a moment, I thought that Benjen could appear like a frozen zombie. was an epic episode, the battle made me feel so tense!

Like the Danny-Tyron encounter & I’m happy ’cause Sansa known that her little brothers are alive; she is not the only Stark alive; hope that means she gonna has her pay-back & gonna kick Ramsay’s ass

This ep was amazing!!! So sad the wildling girl died. Her lines were awesome! Jon had me scared for a min. I hope Jorah gets to redeem himself before he dies or turns. Loved seeing Cersei drink water off the floor too. Bwahaha! I think that’s it. Oh boy I can’t believe its only 2 eps left!!!

Forgot to say I’m glad Sansa has some hope now. Hopefully Reek/Theon doesn’t run to Ramsay and confess what he did.

VALAR MORGULIS. Freaky cold men must die!

Simply one of the best hour of television i have ever seen.

Can someone who has read the books tell me- Does all that dragonglass get left behind in the book?

SPOILERS- don’t read reply if you don’t want to know anything from the books

Sorry but this battle wasnt in the books. Pretty much most everything in this season is its own thing. Which if you have read the books, unless you sincerely believe that GRRM can resolve the literally DOZENS of plotlines in a cohesive fashion before he dies of natural causes or obesity you’d probably agree going off book is a good thing.

I wouldn’t say ‘most everything’ is away from the books. Much of what’s there is in the books or alluded to in the books or on the cusp of happening in the books (Barristan for example) OR happens to another (often a minor) character in the books. I think it’s more about keeping a TV pace vs a book pace and clipping minor plots that end up dead-ends in the book. As an example, the group from Dorne that pay a visit to Dany – really ends up no where in the books and can easily be chopped for times sake and sanity in the show. :) All that said – I think as a book reader and a show watcher, it’s two different tellings of the same story that ought to viewed as their own thing and not compared.. . which is kind of like what you said.

From the way Jaqen described it, it sounds like Arya’s target is not a ship owner, but rather the Braavosi equivalent of a life insurance salesman. Even more reason to kill him…

Epic. Right up there with “Battle of the Blackwater”.

I love GoT but I’ve been underwhelmed with the episodes this season. I felt they were just setting us up for the next season. But then this episode!!!! Dang, it was exciting plus Tyrion is back in full force. Sansa’s story is interesting but my favorite story lines are tyrion’s and John snow’s. They basically were the catalysts for last season. I can’t wait for the last two episodes.

One issue for the season is the source material. Books 4 and 5 are huge and overlap in time. There’s a lot of build, backstory, inner torment, travel, zillion minor characters and side plots that don’t translate well to screen. Yet some of the shuffling, training, Ect is necessary for a bigger payout. One of the issues I have with book to screen converts is that the production tries to squish everything into too small of a window – sticking with the high action and little character development, backstory, etc. Too often it just comes out muddled and messy. Too much depth missing – too much of what made a story resonate gone. Even with the changes, GoT has done a good job at not losing all of what works in GRRM’s telling. . . even if it means some viewers have to watch the build longer they may normally like to. The build is what makes the pay out great. Who would relish Cersei is licking water up off a floor if you didn’t hate her guts or know that she set the Tyrells up for the same fate, etc. Now with Arya – it’s about training. It’s about a transformation. It is slow – not nearly as slow as the written version – but there’s a reason. one does not walk into a temple and come out an assassin that afternoon because the viewer demands it. ;)

The best episode yet!!! with only two more episodes to go for season 5, GOT best show out there

Best episode this season. A gem in an otherwise lacklustre 8 episodes.

And the Giant even had the Face of Boe! Well, sort of. Lol.

When Jon shattered the White Walker, what enchantment allowed it? Was it the steel? All blades made of Valyrian steel can harm White Walkers? Was it the sword? Is it enchanted in some way? Is Jon possibly carrying Lightbringer and doesn’t know it? Or was it the man himself that is enchanted?

From the wiki: Valyrian steel was manufactured in the Valyrian Freehold with dragonfire before the freehold fell.[3] Valyrian steel blades are lighter, stronger, and sharper than even the best castle-forged steel, and feature distinctive rippled patterns similar to Damascus steel, the mark of steel that has been folded back on itself many thousands of times.[4] Valyrian steel keeps its edge forever.[3] Valyrian steel was always costly, but it became considerably more so when there was no more Valyria, the secret of its making lost with the Doom.

So perhaps because of the dragon fire and spells, it makes the swords possible to kill the White Walkers.

Thanks for the response. I’ve also now read the entry and it appears there is a circular reference. The wiki entry that states that Valyrian steel is the only other type of weapon that can kill a White Walker is based on the episode we just saw. Although a wiki entry looks official, the person who entered it is only basing in on their own interpretation of what they saw in the episode just as we’re discussing it now. It doesn’t actually support the assertion that all Valyrian steel can kill White Walkers. Its an opinion. Its probably correct given that from a practical perspective more weapons will be needed to fight the White Walkers.

I *might* have yelled “LIGHTBRINGER!” at my TV when it happened. Just sayin’ (and I’ve been fairly convinced that in the books, Melisandre is having 2nd thoughts about who is the 2nd coming….which her new target being John. . .

Outstanding episode in every aspect. I didn’t expect to see the White Walkers this season except, perhaps, as a cliff hanger in Episode 10. What a shock to see all out WW battle. I’m not big on war scenes, but this was amazing. Well done to all involved. Fills me with dread for the future. Cersei drinking off the floor (heh!). Tyrion & Dani (worth waiting for and what a fascinating future!). Jorah (so sad). Arya (her list is shrinking every season… who will be left for her to kill? Love Jaqin character.)

How ironic that the very thing that makes the finale of this episode so amazing is the very thing that will ensure GoT once again doesn’t get an Emmy — the White Walkers and wights. Wish the damn Emmy academy members would grow up and expand their vision of what makes exceptional television. Well, maybe when the older generation dies off and new blood takes over in a generation or two. Until then, thank goodness for the Critics Awards — what television awards should be.

What an epic episode! But can please someone help me cause I’m confused! I’m pretty sure we see the SAME White Walker still “alive” and killing right after him being into 1000 pieces from Jon’s sword! It’s the scene right after the giant walking into the water…tadaaa the blue eyed dead “dead” is there in full pieces! Wasn’t he dead for good? Or he can be ressurectured ?

It was not the same White Walker. There are a few of them, as seen on the horses at the top of the mountain when Jon looked up before the battle to get the dragon glass.

I noticed last episode and this current one that Sansa’s hair has gone from the black of the earlier episodes to red. Guess the Boltons don’t have any black dye.

Critics\' Choice Television Awards: HBO, Better Call Saul, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Schumer Among Big…

Outlander Boss on Jamie\'s [Spoiler], Season 2 in France and Why [Spoiler] Went Full-Frontal in the Finale

Grey\'s Anatomy Season 12: New Male Doc Poised to Check In

The TVLine Staff\'s DVR Confessions! What\'s (Still) Sitting on Your Playlist?

1Grey\'s Anatomy Season 12: New Male Doc Poised to Check In229

2Castle Shocker: Penny Johnson Jerald Not Returning for Season 8203

3First Look: Rookie Blue\'s Original Cast Takes Center Stage in Season 682

5Critics\' Choice Television Awards: HBO, Better Call Saul, Taraji P…58

Heroes Reborn: Sendhil Ramamurthy to Reprise Role…