It would be easy – and, frankly, accurate – to describe “Book of the Stranger” as more of a montage than an episode. Its structure is nearly identical: we check in with multiple characters and move them around. Promises are made. Plans are put in motion. This is, in a lot of ways, one of those “place-setting” episodes I love to bitch about. But if that’s the case, it’s the strongest place-setting episode I’ve ever seen. “Book of the Stranger” is a worthy installment in Game of Thrones‘ incredibly strong sixth season, and it manages to promise excellent future episodes without ever feeling like an hour-long teaser. It’s a remarkable feat.
Part of that, I think, is due to the fact that series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have co-written every episode of the season so far. I don’t know what happens in the writers’ room, but I like to think that they took the criticism of season five to heart and wanted to take a more hands-on approach to this season. Whatever the reason, it’s working. “Book of the Stranger” also benefits from direction by Daniel Sackheim, a veteran of The Americans, who knows precisely how to handle a mostly talky episode.
The most impressive aspect of this episode – and this season as a whole, so far – is the terrific work that’s being done with Sansa. Moving her out of King’s Landing made her about a thousand times more interesting, and while I’m still not completely sold on the rape scene from last season – did anyone doubt that Ramsay was a horrible person? – Sophie Turner has taken the character and run with her. She is a survivor, not a victim, and as far as possible from the little girl who left Winterfell back in season one. Her reunion with Jon is a wonderful scene, because not only is it nice to see something good happen to someone on GoT, it’s doubly nice that it happens to Sansa.
Even better than that, though, is the fury that she’s barely containing. Turner is absolutely nailing Sansa’s transition into a pretty keen tactician, who reasons, correctly, that the only safe course of action is to storm Winterfell with an army of Northerners and wildlings. Ramsay forces her and Jon’s hand by threatening, among other things, to kill Rickon. This is the first of three scenes wherein someone says they’re going to call in their army later, and yet “Book of the Stranger” is never boring, and it never feels like the promise of better things to come. It’s a damn fine standalone episode that weaves itself nicely into the fabric of the season.
Also, a brief word about Ramsay: he’s so much more interesting in a position of power than he was when he was just mutilating Theon for fun. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not happy that he killed Osha, but it shows that he’s smart, which makes him more dangerous (and a better villain) than Joffrey, who was just cruel.
Elsewhere, Littlefinger, the shrewdest manipulator on the show (with the possible exception of the High Sparrow), convinces Robyn Arryn that the Knights of the Vale should enter the war in the north in order to save Sansa and liberate Winterfell. Finally, the north is getting more interesting. It’s never been boring, strictly speaking, but it’s always been given short shrift in comparison to the amount of screentime afforded to King’s Landing or Meereen.
Liberation, and the cost thereof, is the main theme of “Book of the Stranger.” Margaery is offered her freedom if she will perform a walk of atonement, like Cersei did last season. This is obviously a nonstarter to the Tyrells, so Cersei and Jaime convince them to storm the sept with their army (army promise #3). Tyrion argues with the masters of Yunkai, Astapor, and Volantis, saying that if they stop supporting the Sons of the Harpy then they can continue slavery for seven years. He’s bought freedom for Daenerys – and Meereen – but in doing so has enslaved thousands. (True to form, Tyrion sums up diplomacy nicely: “Slavery is a horror that should be abolished. War is a horror that should be abolished. I can’t do both today.”)
But where this episode plays with its theme most blatantly is with Daenerys, and her captivity at Vaes Dothrak. Dany is one of GoT‘s strongest characters, but also one of its most troublesome. She gets some of the most boring storylines (“Where are my dragons??”) and some of the show’s most cheer-worthy mic drop moments. Thankfully, her escape from Vaes Dothrak skews toward the latter.
There’s so much talk of rulers on Game of Thrones, but the show takes pains to never fully support anyone. With two exceptions: Dany and Jon. Fan theories notwithstanding, there’s a real case to be made for the leadership qualities of both. Jon is described by Melisandre as “the prince who was promised,” and Dany – well, Daenerys kills about a dozen Khals and walks naked out of a burning building. It’s a nice callback to season one, when she took control of her khalasar in much the same fashion. The main difference is, that was the season one finale, and this is episode four. Game of Thrones is heating up – sorry – and has not delivered a lackluster episode yet. If it can keep up this pace, season six might be its best to date.
A Few Thoughts
- Tormund making googly eyes at Brienne was a great sight gag.
- I didn’t talk much about King’s Landing, but I continue to be impressed with Dean-Charles Chapman’s performance as Tommen. He uses his soulful eyes to really convey his character’s inner turmoil, and the further that show Tommen strays from book Tommen, the better the show will be.
- Ramsay’s taunt “come and see” got more chilling with each repetition. His letter to Jon read like a letter from a serial killer taunting the police.
- As good at manipulation as Littlefinger is, that’s how bad Cersei is. She doesn’t pretend to be anyone’s friend, never compromises, and her idea of diplomacy is a seven-foot-tall zombie.
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