'Game of Thrones' season 6 episode guide

Here's a refresher of everything you need to know from season 6 of Game of Thrones. (Check out our guides to all other seasons and our list of essential episodes below.)

Episode 1: "The Red Woman"

Writers: David BenioffandD.B. Weiss

Director: Jeremy Podeswa

Plot: Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is dead! His stabbed corpse was discovered by a group of people, including Davos (Liam Cunningham) and a few other allies. They dragged him inside and plotted to kill the traitorous Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale). Elsewhere, Cersei (Lena Headey) reunited with Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and subsequently learned of her daughter's death (and vowed revenge — a twofer this episode!). Meanwhile, Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Theon (Alfie Allen) were on the run from Ramsay's (Iwan Rheon) men when they were saved by Podrick (Daniel Portman) and Brienne (Gwendoline Christie), the latter of whom Sansa invited into her service.

Introduced: New Dothraki — including warrior Qhono (Staz Nair) — captured Dany (Emilia Clarke) and took her to their leader, Khal Moro (Joe Naufahu).

Historic moment: The otherwise-table-setting "Red Woman" ended with the quietly shocking image of Melisandre (Carice van Houten) — called in to revive Jon — removing her necklace to reveal her true self for the first time in the mirror: a (very) frail older woman.

Grade: B

Episode 2: "Home"

Writer: Dave Hill

Director: Jeremy Podeswa

Plot: Jon Snow is alive! The show rather dutifully approached this inevitable plot turn, weaving Melisandre's personal crisis into the story to resurrect him. She got to work on Davos' ask, and, initially, her efforts appeared unsuccessful — until everyone left the room. Arya (Maisie Williams) reunited with the Faceless Men, while Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) tensely unchained Dany's dragons (in a terrific sequence), and Bran's (Isaac Hempstead Wright) greensight apprenticeship with the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow) proved taxing for Meera (Ellie Kendrick). Roose (Michael McElhatton) and his wife, Walda Bolton (Elizabeth Webster), died at the hands of Ramsay, who also murdered their son/his baby brother. Balon (Patrick Malahide) was also killed by his brother Euron (Pilou Asbæk).

Introduced: Ned's sister, Lyanna (Aisling Franciosi), in a flashback to happier Winterfell times, viewed by Bran.

Historic moment: The iconic final shot of Jon opening his eyes.

Grade: B–

Episode 3: "Oathbreaker"

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Director: Daniel Sackheim

Plot: A stunned Davos discovered Jon alive and well. Jon — who remembered being stabbed but nothing from his time unconscious — reclaims his Lord Commander cape and, while struggling to return to normal strength, assented to the hanging of Thorne and other traitors before killing them himself. Dany's situation, meanwhile, continued to deteriorate; and Cersei and Jaime's vengeance plot was interrupted by the council's desire to avoid them entirely. Arya's sight was restored! Young Rickon (Art Parkinson) was revealed as Ramsay's new prisoner. (Oof.) Bran was taken deeper into the past by the Three-Eyed Raven, observing the circumstances leading up to Robert's (Mark Addy) Rebellion. Varys (Conleth Hill) and Tyrion continued to helm Meereen, this time with the news coming in that the Free City of Volantis had been secretly funding the Sons of the Harpy.

Introduced: The High Priestess of the Dosh Khaleen, portrayed by Souad Faress.

Historic moment: Jon gave his robe to his Night's Watch brother Edd Tollett (Ben Crompton), thereby relinquishing his role and leaving the Rangers.

Grade: B+

Episode 4: "Book of the Stranger"

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Director: Daniel Sackheim

Plot: The season kicked into gear with this standout installment. Sansa, Brienne, et al. arrived at Castle Black, where Jon was at last reunited with his Stark sister. ("We never should have left Winterfell," he told her — yeah, maybe!) They agreed it was time to take out Ramsay; at the same time, Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) was mobilizing forces against him. But Ramsay still had some leverage: In a letter to Jon, he threatened to hurt Rickon if Sansa was not returned. Cersei and Jaime aligned more closely with their uncle, Kevan Lannister (Ian Gelder), and Lady Olenna (Diana Rigg) to oust the Sparrows. And then, of course, the explosive ending: After her meeting with the khals in the temple of the Dosh Khaleen, Dany burned them all to death in one of the series' most cathartic scenes.

Historic moment: Dany emerging from the wreckage, triumphant and unharmed, with the Dothraki kneeling in her presence.

Grade: A–

Episode 5: "The Door"

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Director: Jack Bender

Plot: The One Where Hodor Dies. Need we say more? Okay, fine: Before leaving Castle Black, Jon and Sansa visited Littlefinger and offered support; Sansa also forced Littlefinger to confront the reality of her trauma. Arya vied to prove her loyalty in Braavos by killing an actress — but, in turn, had to watch a theatrical reenactment of season 1's events, namely the death of her father. Red Priestess Kinvara (Ania Bukstein) met with Varys and reminded him of his trauma (a lot of that in this episode) while pledging assistance to a newly empowered Dany. And, crucially, we learned the origin story of the White Walkers: that they were created by the Children of the Forest as weapons. How fitting that the episode ended with the Walkers surrounding the cave along with the Night King — livened by one of Bran's visions — and executing a massacre; killing the Three-Eyed Raven, a few Children, and beloved Hodor (Kristian Nairn). But not before we got a glimpse into Hodor's past and how he became who he is.

Introduced: The Braavosi theater troupe, helmed by Izembaro (Richard E. Grant) and Lady Crane (Essie Davis).

Historic moment: "Hodor."

Grade: A–

Episode 6: "Blood of My Blood"

Writer: Bryan Cogman

Director: Jack Bender

Plot: Arya watched the second half of the troupe's great, meta performance of all things Thrones; including a caricatured version of Tyrion killing his father. Arya ended up saving Lady Crane's life and leaving with Needle — indicating she'd forsaken the Faceless Men. Sam (John Bradley) played the role of a good son before escaping with Gilly (Hannah Murray), baby Sam, and the Valyrian steel sword that hung on the wall. Dany gave a speech ensuring Dothraki loyalty. Bran was stuck deep in visions and on the verge of catastrophe before being saved by a mysterious "rider"; he and Meera learned it was his uncle Benjen Stark (Joseph Mawle), who hadn't appeared since season 1's third episode. And Jaime tried to save Margaery (Natalie Dormer), who'd been in a prison cell all season, but was stunned to see she was united with the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) and Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman) — a sign of aligning between the crown and faith.

Introduced: Sam's brutal father Randyll (James Faulkner) and brother Dickon (Freddie Stroma), who both return for larger season 7 arcs.

Grade: B+

Episode 7: "The Broken Man"

Writer: Bryan Cogman

Director: Mark Mylod

Plot: The Hound (Rory McCann) is...alive? That's right: After Arya seemingly left him for dead, the man of few words was revealed to have survived. (A season of back-from-the-deads, this is.) Much of the episode also moved Jon, Sansa, and Davos back to the fore, and their story line was largely intercut with the Hound's return to action. Jon and Sansa contemplated assembling their army, making a deal with never-to-be-trusted Littlefinger, and keeping the Wildlings on their side; the Hound, meanwhile, gave up a potential life of peace for a chance at revenge. Elsewhere, the High Sparrow made a veiled threat against Lady Olenna, after which Margaery persuaded her grandmother to return to Highgarden.

Introduced: Young Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey), cousin of Jorah (Iain Glen) and resident GoT meme queen. Also, Lord Robett Glover (Tim McInnerny), key to Jon Snow's path to becoming King in the North.

Historic moment: The Hound ominously, commandingly picked up an ax to close out his story line in this episode.

Grade: B+

Episode 8: "No One"

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Director: Mark Mylod

Plot: A fairly dull episode that set up the best one-two punch in GoT history. The episode's title obviously refers to Arya, who formally rejected the Faceless Men and prepared to return to Westeros. (She also rejected the acting troupe, which could have made a great spinoff.) Jaime, while helping the Freys take Riverrun back from the Tullys, revealed to Edmure Tully (Tobias Menzies) — surprise! — that he really only cared about Cersei and would do anything to get back to her. Ultimately, Jaime agreed to give Edmure safe passage to the North if he allowed the Lannisters and Freys to peacefully occupy the castle and hang their banners over its walls, which he did. Cersei placed a bounty on Sansa's head. The Hound was back to killing and was pitched to join the Brotherhood Without Banners. Tyrion spotted ships headed into Meereen, with Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) noting the enslavers had come to reclaim their property. Dany was back with Drogon.

Grade: C+

Episode 9: "Battle of the Bastards"

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Director: Miguel Sapochnik

Plot: The season came into much tighter focus, with "Battle" splitting its time between Meereen and the fight for Winterfell. Jon and Ramsay faced off in an anticipated confrontation that lived up to the hype; just when it seemed the battle against the encroaching Masters' fleet was lost. In a thrilling reunion, Dany rode Drogon and — assisted by Rhaegal and Viserion — burned the fleet, sparing only one master. Ramsay was beaten and taken prisoner by Jon, where he met his fate — to fans' deep satisfaction.

Historic moment: Sansa watching her abuser, Ramsay, eaten alive by his starving hounds.

Grade: A–

Episode 10: "The Winds of Winter"

Writers: David Benioff and D.B. Weiss

Director: Miguel Sapochnik

Plot: Cersei's great revenge. Everyone in King's Landing gathered for her demise at her and Loras' (Finn Jones) trial at the Sept of Baelor in this spectacular season finale. But Cersei remained in her keep a little too long; her cousin Lancel (Eugene Michael Simon) was sent to retrieve her. From there, her great plan unfolded: Lancel found a wildfire cache on the verge of exploding and was stabbed before he was able to put it out. Margaery was the first to realize something was wrong — that a trap had been set—but she was too late. The High Sparrow didn't let anyone leave. The wildfire was ignited, and the Sept (and everyone inside) was annihilated. Jaime reunited with Cersei, who — utterly gleeful over her perfectly executed scheme and unaware that it prompted Tommen to end his life — was crowned Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.

Historic moment: Bran learned Jon was the child of Lyanna (more to come on that...); the burning of the Sept; and the last we saw of Dany in season 6: setting sail for Westeros with her army, prepared for the grand battle.

Grade: A

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