5 talking points from Game of Thrones 6.03 ‘Oathbreaker’

Game of Thrones‘ latest episode ‘Oathbreaker’ might not have been to everyone’s taste, but one can’t deny it offered plenty of discussion opportunities. Here we take you through five of the biggest talking points from ‘Oathbreaker’ and what they might mean for the rest of season six.

1. Lord Umber’s gift to Ramsay

Lord Umber confirmed our worst fears in ‘Oathbreaker’, when he delivered the youngest Stark child plus his wildling protector Osha to Ramsay Bolton. To prove Rickon was the real Rickon, he presented Shaggydog’s head on a stick. It seemed pretty solid proof that Lord Umber was on Ramsay’s side. But is he?

Lord Umber pointedly refrained from swearing an oath to Ramsay, which means technically he can stab him in the back at whatever opportunity strikes. Fans have speculated that the presented head of Shaggydog was far too small to be that of a direwolf, comparing screenshots of the head to images of Ghost or Grey Wind. His reasoning for the alliance seems a little suspicious too – why would a previously loyal Northern house be so angered by the actions of a non-legitimate Stark who has taken the black like Jon Snow?

2. Jon Snow’s new freedom

As speculated last week, Jon has taken advantage of the loop hole in his Night’s Watch oath that states he only has to serve until death. It seems out of character for Jon to leave his responsibility and the Night’s Watch to fight the incoming White Walker invasion alone, however. What does Jon have up his sleeve?

He could take the Wildling army South to reclaim his family home of Winterfell, and may have more reason to do so if he hears word of Rickon’s imprisonment. He also could cross paths with his half-sister Sansa, who is on her way to Castle Black. If those two miss each other next episode, there will be hell to pay.

3. Daenerys’ fate

Daenerys was told in ‘Oathbreaker’ that her fate will be decided by khalasars in Vaes Dothrak, after failing to return to the city to live out her days as a widowed Khaleesi. If she’s lucky, she’s told, she will get to stay in the city with the widows after all. If she’s not so lucky, well, the Dothraki don’t tend towards small punishments.

However, Drogon is still out there – possibly he has recovered from the mammoth journey out of Meereen. Jorah and Daario also remain hot on her trail, having miraculously found the ring Daenerys planted in the countryside. Will they have to fight their way to their Queen?

4. Ned Stark’s dishonourable moment, and why it was important

This week’s Bran flashback/vision did not show us Lyanna, as many suspected, but Ned Stark and Howland Reed’s fight with the Kingsguard who were protecting her. The surprising moment of this was when Ned was clearly outfought by Ser Arthur Dayne, but Howland stabbed Dayne from behind to seal his fate. It was a shockingly dishonourable moment from the ever-honourable Ned, who was willing to die for his honour back in season one.

It showed us that those who win history are allowed to write it, but why else was this moment important?

5. Can Bran interact with the past?

Bran definitely speaks for Game of Thrones viewers when he wants to see more of the visions he is having of the past. However, after calling after his young father inside a vision – Bran appeared to get Ned Stark’s attention. Could it be that Bran has some ability to contact the past? The Three-Eyed Raven looked uneasy, and promptly pulled Bran back to the present.

If Bran can interact with the past, this opens up a whole host of questions. Is the past set in stone or can Bran make changes? Did some of the events of the series only happen because of Bran? Bran would probably love to go back into the past and prevent himself from peeping on Jaime and Cersei. Bran’s interference could have tragic consequences, and perhaps this is what the Raven is trying to steer him away from.