Game of Thrones Season 6: HBO releases descriptions for episodes 2 and 3

Game of Thrones Season 6 is officially underway. The season premiere, “The Red Woman,” is in the can, and HBO has begun releasing descriptions for future episodes. Let’s take a look at HBO’s press release:

"Episode #52 (season 6, episode 2): “Home”Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)Other HBO playdates: May 1 (11:30 p.m., 1:30 a.m.), 2 (12:15 a.m.), 3 (9:00 p.m., 4:00 a.m.), 5 (12:15 a.m.), 6 (9:00 p.m.), 7 (11:50 p.m.) and 13 (8:00 p.m.)HBO2 playdates: May 2 (8:30 p.m.) 6 (1:00 a.m.), 7 (4:00 p.m.), 8 (8:00 p.m.) and 28 (5:00 p.m.)Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) trains with the Three-Eyed Raven (Max von Sydow). In King’s Landing, Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) advises Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman). Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) demands good news, but has to make his own. At Castle Black, the Night’s Watch stands behind Thorne (Owen Teale). Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) proposes a plan, and Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide) entertains other proposals.Written by Dave Hill; directed by Jeremy Podeswa."

First up, let’s note that the episode isn’t written by David Benioff and Dan Weiss, but rather by Dave Hill, who wrote last season’s “Sons of the Harpy” (except for the parts set in Meereen—writer Bryan Cogman revealed that those were from his episodes and grafted onto the end of “Sons of the Harpy”). Jeremy Podeswa, who directed the season premiere, directs here as well.

As for the description, it sounds like things are still dire at the Wall. Also, I’m betting the “plan” Ramsay’s proposing is the one he suggested in the episode preview: storming Castle Black. That doesn’t seem like a great way to get the North on your side, but we’ll see.

Also, we’ll see the return of both Bran and Balon Greyjoy, and former of which hasn’t been seen since Season 3. I also like the description for Tyrion’s part of the story. “Tyrion demands good news, but has to make his own.” That could mean any number of things.

And here’s the info for Episode 3:

"Episode #53 (season 6, episode 3): “Oathbreaker”Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 8 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)Other HBO playdates: May 8 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.), 9 (11:40 p.m.), 10 (9:00 p.m., 4:25 a.m.), 12 (11:00 p.m.), 13 (9:00 p.m.), 14 (10:00 p.m.) and 20 (8:00 p.m.)HBO2 playdates: May 9 (8:30 p.m.), 13 (1:15 a.m.), 14 (4:45 p.m.), 15 (8:00 p.m.) and 28 (6:00 p.m.)Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) meets her future. Bran meets the past. Tommen confronts the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce). Arya (Maisie Williams) trains to be No One. Varys (Conleth Hill) finds an answer. Ramsay gets a gift.Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by Dan Sackheim."

Benioff and Weiss are back in the writer’s chair for this one, and Game of Thrones newcomer Daniel Sackheim directs.

The title of episode puts me in mind of Brienne’s sword, “Oathkeeper,” but it could apply to any of many characters whose lives involve oaths: Brienne (oath to Sansa), Jaime (oaths to various kings), and anyone in the Night’s Watch.

I’m taking Daenerys meeting “her future” means she arrives in Vaes Dothrak, where she’ll purportedly spend the rest of her life. Meanwhile, it sounds like Bran will be using his powers to slip back into the past. No surprises for Arya—she’s been training to be No One for a while now. We’ve also caught glimpses of Tommen talking with the High Sparrow in trailers, so we knew a confrontation was coming.

The final two sentences are vague in that patented HBO way. “Varys finds an answer.” To what question? “Ramsay gets a gift.” From who and for what? Is it his birthday? We’ll have to wait a couple of weeks to find out.