I’m going to be blunt. The Game of Thrones TV show has done more with the series and story in five years than the books have done in 20 years. Yeah, bet you didn’t realize the novels were that old already, right? But yes, A Song of Fire and Ice began way back in 1996 with the Game of Thrones book, and the exposition has been killing us ever since. But now, season six of the show has done something amazing.
With Game of Thrones season six, we’re getting all sorts of progress. It’s happening promptly. There’s great pacing. In fact, the third episode was downright speedy! Things are finally picking up, and it’s improving the show as a whole.
(Warning: spoilers for season six of Game of Thrones lie ahead.)
We’re finally getting to a point where Jon Snow will no longer “know nothing.” He’s spent so much time at the Wall. While it’s been productive and enlightening, especially when it comes to the Wildings and White Walkers, he hasn’t been able to interact with Game of Thrones’ other major players. Season six is already presenting an opportunity to move forward. Let’s say he’s got a new shot at life. We’ll see his past through Bran’s eyes and see how that can influence the present.
Speaking of Bran, this will give us a chance to see one of Game of Thrones’ theories either verified or disproven. His abilities are allowing us to see the Stark family’s past. People have long thought Jon Snow is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, born at the Tower of Joy, and taken in by Ned Stark. He was raised as a bastard to protect him. It’s only a matter of time before we finally know the truth.
Everyone else’s stories are making extraordinary strides forward as well. We get to see the dragons again! Even better, we get to see Tyrion with Varys and the dragons! The character has always had a fascination with the creatures and, after a number of episodes where he’s been out of favor, he finally has a chance to help Varys do good and support Daenerys Targaryen. Brienne of Tarth has found Sansa Stark! Both women have a chance to regain their honor again, after a number of setbacks that kept them down. Arya’s finally succeeding in her training with the Faceless Men. By the way, Rickon, the forgotten Stark, is back in Westeros!
Things are happening in Game of Thrones . Winter may be coming, but it doesn’t feel like some foreshadowing, far away event anymore. The TV show is giving us exactly what we’ve wanted. There were times when the fourth and fifth seasons started feeling rather slow, but all that’s over now. The winds of change have come. Even better, things are, dare I say, even seeming optimistic! The Game of Thrones show and A Song of Fire and Ice novels have always been enthralling, but season six goes a long way in revitalizing the series and making everyone fall in love with it again.