User Reviews

Ah, the joy of seeing a fan favorite character return never fails to lift my spirits. The return of 'The Hound' has been heavily rumored for a while now, and the 'The Broken Man' title seemed like the perfect time to bring him back. Fortunately, The Hound wasn't the only great thing about this episode as it was a strong return to the greatness that has been this season of Game of Thrones.

So it turns out Ian McShane's role this season was indeed a one-off as the acting legend was the man responsible for saving Sandor The Hound Clegane after his misstep with Brienne at the end of season 4. As different of a man as was attempting to be with the village, it sure seems like he will return to his killing ways the next time we see him as every single one of the people he was living with are now dead at the hands of the brotherhood.

More fun interactions came from the Queen of Thorns this week as she tried to bargain with Margaery. I think we all knew Margaery was playing Tommen and the High Sparrow, but slipping her grandmother the picture of the rose seems like the final clue we need. She is out for revenge and I can only hope revenge is what she will get. No one wants the High Sparrow gone more than me.

Olenna Tyrell also got to sass her way out of the conversation with Cersei and basically blame everything bad that has happened in Kings Landing on her. Can we really disagree with Olenna? Cersei is at the brunt of the entire 'Faith' problem. It will be interesting to see just how she sneaks her way out of this one. If the fans had it their way, the trial by combat for Cersei's freedom would involve both Clegane's, so The Hound would have to move pretty fast to Kings Landing.

Some more sass came from the debut of Lyanna Mormont and boy was it entertaining. Of course, we all want to see Sansa and Jon rally all of the North against the Bolton's, but having a young girl be one of their toughest obstacles was a pleasantly surprising route to go. As much as Jon and Sansa tried to play the family card with her, Lyanna wasn't budging. Luckily, Daavos came in for the save. With the 'Battle of the Bastards' just two episodes away, the Starks are going to have to come up with a few more lucky tricks up their sleeve.

It had been a while since we had seen the Tully's or the Frey's in the show, so last week's tease didn't really get me excited for Jaime's trip to see Blackfish this week. With that said, the King- slayer's scene with Blackfish was a marvel to watch. One-up after one-up between the two ended with Blackfish having the slight upper- hand although I can't see it ending anything other way but death in battle. On a side note, how great was it seeing Bronn back? Even if it was for just for a few quips.

Last but not least we got to see a few scenes in Braavos with Arya. Sadly, her planned trip 'home' isn't look like it's going to happen too soon with Waif nearly stabbing her to death. I don't know who can possibly come and save her but perhaps Lady Crane can help return the favor after what Arya did for her last week. Either way, it sure seems like every storyline is coming to a breaking point, which is exciting. Even with Yara and Theon, who got a small scene this week, they seem set on sailing to Meereen to help Daenerys, which would set up great things to come in season 7. Overall, a great episode with new and old characters shining and setting up what's to come in the final 3 episodes this season.

+The fricking Hound

+Queen of Thorns

+Margaery scheming

+Lyanna Mormont

+The North is reminded

+Bloody Braavos sequence

-Still not entirely sure about this Blackfish situation

9.0/10

Firstly, Never has the first 60 seconds of a TV series hit me as hard as I have been hit tonight. It's been a strange 'Game' of late, with so many significant characters falling to the sword (or bolts). So to see the Hound, one of the best GOT characters ever return was honestly profound.

Despite the major shock of the Hound's return being an astronomical moment in the series, the rest of the episode didn't disappoint either. Finding out what we expected all along, that Margaery was plotting against the High Sparrow certainly wasn't a surprise, but it was a significant moment in the show. We also got a well written confrontational scene between the Queen of Thorns and Cersei, A scene that may also foretell of a darker future for the Queen of Thorns based off Cersei's reaction.

However for me the real highlight of this episode was the much needed return of Bronn. Bronn's return ensures the return of the wit that has been so lacking this year, but also tells of an interesting future for his character. Whilst Arya also isn't in the best of places having been stabbed by Waif, i feel fairly certain she won't face fatal repercussions and it isn't a significant moment in the series.

Lastly i'll return to where I began, with the "Broken Man", Sandor Clegane. That ending was dark, haunting and exactly what Game of Thrones does best, I expect Sandor to have his revenge, in more ways than one. Truth be told this wasn't the most exciting Thrones episode ever, but it returned to the terrific story-telling which has been seemingly absent of late.

I must say this is second best episode of season 6 after "The door". The episode prologued with sweet surprise of Return of the hound. His changed character was reflected within no time and this shows success of adapting gravedigger stuff from books.

This episode was totally character driven and shows conflict between moral thoughts about happiness between the hound and Ian macshane. The hound does not seem to be happy about definition of killing, rather at the end he decides to revenge and picks up his axe when his new family is butchered by brotherhood without banners. The episode name "The broken man" exactly suits with the current situation of hound, a man who tried to change himself unwillingly but ended up seeking for vengeance and his old definition of happiness.

The other scenes of episodes were well filmed specially siege at Riverrun. The blackfish is played extraordinarily by the actor. His presence in screen makes a huge impact. I never felt such an arc of presence after Tywin Lannister on screen. The stabbing scene of Arya was just to shock people and I don't think she ll die anytime soon. The scenes of Jon snow & company approaching northern houses for aid were well filmed.

+ve - The emotional turbulence of Hound, Siege of Riverrun Absence of Danny

-Ve - No Tyrion in two episodes - he won't be there in 9th episode too. No Bran & visions.

My rating 10/10

Bryan Cogman brings us once again a great driving the narrative in an episode that takes on all plots. In King's Landing Margaery throwing aside any doubt that the viewer had about their intentions (showing that yes, she never forgot the motto of your home and the lessons about politics that his grandmother gave him). In the North, the series shows how much has been accelerating the time to show Jon and Sansa three fairly distant locations in a beautiful sequence of scenes (with great emphasis on Lyanna Mormont). In the Riverlands, especially photography and beautiful CGI Riverrun. Arya coming up with an outfit and hairstyle that she never used only demonstrate that there is much more in your frame of what we are seeing. And of course the icing on the cake: Sandor, welcome! With a beautiful photo and outstanding performance of Ian McShane, the series makes clear that Clegane still have a big role to play (which is even more evident when, for the fourth time in more than 50 episodes, the series puts a scene before the opening). Too bad most of the fandom of the series is only interested in dragons and swords, and calls for a focused filler episode in game dialogues and character development.

In a pre-credit sequence it emerges that Sandor 'The Hound' Clegane is not dead; we learn that he was found by Brother Ray, a former soldier who has found the gods, and now lives in a peaceful community. A peace that isn't destined to last long. Further north Jon, Sansa and Ser Davos are trying to persuade the northern families that were loyal to the Starks to support them in their upcoming battle to retake Winterfell; they aren't as successful as they would hope. In King's Landing Queen Margaery cautions her mother to leave the city; suggesting that her conversion to the fanatical views of High Sparrow might not be as real as it first seemed. In Braavos Arya is planning to return to Winterfell but before she can leave she is attacked by The Waif. We also have the arrival of Jaime Lannister at the Siege of Riverrun.

This was another fine episode which provided a couple of genuinely surprising moments as well as an unexpected laugh. The main surprise was the revelation that Sandor Clegane wasn't dead; it will be interesting to see what happens next for this character. The other surprise was the fight between Arya and The Waif; not that it took place but that Arya appeared to be seriously injured afterwards. The humour was provided in a delightful scene where Lyanna Mormont is petitioned to assist in the retaking of Winterfell when, after much debate, agrees and it is revealed that she has a force of sixty eight men! Young Bella Ramsey did a great job in the role of Lyanna. There isn't much in the way of action; much of what we see is clearly positioning for what is to come. Thankfully none of it was boring though it just served to make me keen to see what happens next.

A fine episode as the Hound reappear and we find that the best laid plans of the pacifist don't exactly work. The Hound has been living with a kind of quiet, hard working group who feel work makes you free. In the milieu of GOT, however, there are few contrived lessons. The good have little advantage over the bad and must fight like crazy to stay on their feet. We get to see where several characters are at as the battle awaits. Sansa is with John, trying to raise and army to confront the Boltons. Arya has turned away from the face changers and begins to seek out a plan (but, then, who are her friends?). She is attacked by them. Theon is with his sister, who challenges his manhood, and we can see him acquiesce. Jaime Lannister is now leading forces for Cersei and must confront a stubborn man who has been harmed irreparably in the past and isn't about to join forces with a family he despises. Margery is now lying in the weeds. We know she is up to something. Her feckless little boy husband (what a little snot!) want her to spend more time with him. There is even more, but others have already addressed these things. I'll just say that this was one of the best episode.

Spoilers!

Every time I watch this episode, I cringe at his demise. Knowing it's coming doesn't help a bit. Ian McShane would've been a lovely addition as a regular, but at least he graced an hour. It was a lovely balance to the Hound's character, or a boost depending on your feelings about him.

Sansa grows ever more assertive, Jamie grows frustrated, along with the Onion Knight; Arya goes in the water.

As some of you may know, I have been quite harsh with my reviews. However, this episode I have actually found to be one of the best ones this season and I'll tell you why.

The siege of Riverrun was really well done. I find D&D shine best when adapting book content and putting it into visuals, which is why this scene panned out so well. This scene pretty much exactly how I envisioned it while reading the books. The guy who plays the Black fish does an excellent job portraying him. The dialogue b/w the Blackfish and Jaime was really well done. Overall, a really good scene.

The reintroduction of the hound was great, although not much of a surprise knowing about the gravedigger theory. I am quite curious to see where his arc is going. Many believe he is going to extract his vengeance on Gregor Clegane (his brother the Mountain), but this episode shows that it looks like he is going to get vengeance on the Brotherhood without Banners which is quite surprising.

I also really liked Jon and Sansa going to gather northern support. My favourite parts in the book ADWD was when Stannis was trying to garner support from all of the Northern houses, and it was nice to see this pan out on screen although it was with Jon and Sansa.

Also it was a huge relief that I didn't have to see Dany or Tyrion and all of Essos for an episode. I find that plot has been stagnating for quite some time and it was a relief that they ignored it this episode. Also, not having to see Ramsey with his plot armour for the past few episodes has been quite a relief as well.

With all of the positives being stated, I do have some grievances. I don't really understand the point of them introducing Euron. Euron in the books is great but his show counterpart doesn't seem to really have a purpose. It seems like Dany will end up just taking the side of Asha/Yara and Theon, and stealing all of Euron's ships. Perhaps I'm speaking to soon, but it just seems like they will use him as a plot device to get Dany over to Westeros and nothing else and then Dany will backstab him. Or maybe he will serve some larger purpose in the show. I guess we'll see.

While I don't really know if I think this is a 10, that's just how I write my reviews. If I like something, it gets a 10. If I don't like something, it gets a 1. Anyways, thanks for your time.

In a mostly quiet episode, we get:

the return of the Hound, with some foreshadowing of his (probable) future role (as well as a nice guest star in the shape of Ian McShane)

Jaime arriving in Riverrun and facing Blackfish (with some more plausible foreshadowing)

the revelation (not too surprising) that Margaery hasn't really become a faithful zealot, while her grandmother gives Cersei a talking to.

Arya getting attacked by Waif - it was nice that she didn't suddenly develop the skill to win the fight, we'll see where this goes.

And lastly, two story lines that while not problematic in their execution, do happen to invite some mockery. First we get Jon Snow and Sansa visiting the northern houses to gather support. Well. They go to Bear Island, Deepwood Motte, and the context implies a couple more places. Gathering precious few troops. Now, it's true, the little girl playing Lyanna Mormont does steal the show, and the scene with the Glovers was also good. Buuuuuuuut....if you happen to take a look at the map, you'll note it should have taken them quite some time to go around all these places - even if it was implied time (like, months) did pass, they wasted it all visiting lesser houses, instead of going directly to Lord Manderly, the guy who actually has the means to help. Pretty much the same happens in the very short segment with the ironborn. Sam hasn't managed to reach Oldtown after what, a year? But Theon and Yara have sailed across the entire world in about two days.

And yeah, it's a passable sort of error, except. Except they introduced Euron 2-3 seasons late. If they hadn't, the timelines would actually work out.

It is one of those episodes that has high value drama without any of the special effects and unnecessary violence that Game of Thrones has recently resorted to maintain viewership. And of course, this was how things used to be back during the initial seasons when they didn't have sky rocketing production budgets.

We rarely get a scene before the opening credits and today's opening scene surprised me and it was totally worth it. Each log of wood is being carried by at least three men and there is this guy carrying a huge log of wood all by himself. Who else could it be other than the Hound. He is the REVENANT.

Ian McShane's cameo was perfect as a Septon. His discussions with the Hound, showing him the ways of the pacifist and asking him to explore the reason for living is all but foreshadowing for the Cleganebowl. It's been two years since the hound has been saved, for all we know he might be nearer to Kings Landing than we expect and another Septon might find him at the right time.

For the first time this season Kings Landing story arc is refreshingly good. Margaery has learnt a great deal about deception from her grandmother. She is playing the High-Septon like a violin. That rose she gives her grandma is to show her she is still Margaery of House Tyrell behind this facade.

Cersei is going out and out in the path of violence like a cascading snow ball. Too bad neither Tyrion nor Tywin is around to control her. It is time for things to come crashing down.

Lady Lyanna Mormont steals the show during the recruiting spree. She is so adorable. She reminds of the time 10-year-old Bran was heading Winterfell in the absence of his brother. Even though as expected the wildlings support Snow most of the Northern houses remember the Starks for all the wrong reasons. Out of desperation Sansa writes a letter. Is it to Littlefinger?

Blackfish is a total bad ass. He is my new favourite character in the show. His confrontation with Jamie was an awesome scene. When Brienne reaches him next week what will his move be? Wil he hold the castle or fight for the Starks?

Moving on to Volantis, Theon hasn't moved on from his castration. It was kind of comical to see him in a brothel. Anyway when he reaches Meeren he will have a lot of company. For the first time we get to know the sexual preference of his sister. Who knows what will happen when she meets Daenerys.

It looks like Arya's plot lacks some logic. The Waif is supposed to be a seasoned professional assassin and how did she let Arya escape? And where was Arya's needle when she most needed it. She was supposed to be on guard for attack from the Waif and yet she was not. Wait, unless.. unless.. the new theory about Arya is totally true. Can the Waif really be a figment of Arya's imagination like Brad Pitt from the Fight Club? Even though I'm not buying this theory we have to wait till next episode to get the answers. The writers of GoT usually don't miss their logic.

+ Solid episode reminiscent of earlier seasons

+ Adorable little Lady Mormont

+ Badass Blackfish

• Another conspicuous absence of Tyrion.

I don't really understand how can you give a 10 for this episode! It was one of the most boring episode i have ever seen until now. And why are they so short? they used to be one full hour, but now only 45 min(without the beginning). I expected that Sandor Clegane will be back, but however now so soft! And Arya being stabbed? really?? She has been a part of house of Black and White, she is not supposed to trust people. The best part of the whole episode was of course the "Lady Mormont" scene-> she is so bad-ass (probably Jon is planning to marry her to Rickon. I assume that the end of this season will be the battle between Starks/Boltons, where Starks will take over Winterfell with the help of the knights of the Vale, but in the same time the Nights King will reach the wall so they will start breaking it!

The Hound was saved by Brother Ray, the leader of a community, and has a peaceful life working as woodman. When three men from the Brotherhood threaten the villagers, The Hound is worried about but Brother Ray does not believe in violence anymore. Margaery seems to be converted by the High-Sparrow, but when she learns that her grandmother Oleanna Tyrrell is in danger, she contacts her to convince Oleanna to leave King's Landing. Jon. Sansa and Davos are searching for allies to vanquish Ramsay and retake Winterfell. Jaime and Bronn arrive at the Blackfish Castle and Jaime tries to convince him to surrender to the siege to his castle. Theon and Yara are resting in a brothel and waiting for uncle Euron's attack. Arya makes arrangements to return to Westeros but she is stabbed by the Waif.

"The Broken Man" is a great episode with attractive segments. In common, the characters have motives and will certainly seek revenge. The hound is alive after fighting Brienne. Margaerys is posing of woman of faith but she actually wants to defeat the High Sparrow. Yara's intention of joining Daenerys is a promising alliance. Will Arya survive from the attack if the Waif? My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "The Broken Man"

The Broken Man is another classic episode for the sixth season and improves upon the previous episode (which I thought was great despite it's uneven pacing).

It's easy to point out that the Hound, one of the characters who captured Arya Stark after her father was executed by King Joffrey, actually survived from his wounds after end of the fourth season and he gets some character development here. He's trying to find redemption by living peacefully with the villagers only to seek vengeance after finding his happiness taken away from him. Rory McCann, who played the Hound, also known as Sandor Clegane in the first four seasons, gives a really solid performance. Ian McShane, who plays Ray, the man who nursed him back to health, is a great addition to the show's sixth season and gives a superb performance as a peaceful man who helps the Hound find his happiness.

That being said, everything else is great. Some of the story lines from the previous episodes have been advanced with Arya trying to get back home after she stopped Lady Crane from drinking her poisoned rum and decided not to become a faceless person, unaware that something terrible would happen to her. The performances are still solid, the pacing is very brisk, Mark Mylod, who directed the third and fourth episodes of Season 5, does a great job directing, the editing is really smooth, the scenery, sets, and costumes are still lavish, and Ramin Djawadi continues to deliver some perfect moments in his score.

So, overall, The Broken Man succeeds in it's character-driven story for the Hound for the sixth season and sets up nicely to what's going to happen in the last three episodes. Thumbs up. :)

This was one of my favorite episodes this season. I have been anxiously awaiting the return of The Hound, and I was very pleased to see Bronn again. I am VERY satisfied with where his (The Hound) arc has taken him so far, and I hope they show his act of retribution. I do hope that he eventually hooks up with Arya, and they rain blood on the realm. Cersei last, please. I liked Lady Tyrell's parting words to her.

I do not know how Arya is going to survive a gut-wound like that, but she has to live. There was a quick glimpse of the next episode, and a fight with the Waif, so I'm guessing she'll find some Quik- Clot or something. I am curious how she is going to settle up with the assassin's guild. She can't evade them forever, even in the West.

I am not thrilled with Sansa (now, or ever), and her campaign for war. She is not going to DO anything in battle, so it feels out of her place to see her champing at the bit to send men off to die in her name. It was great to hear her told 'no', and I thought the Mormont exchange was brilliant.

Finally, Yara is my new favorite. And Theon needs to suck it up. Just because he can't partake doesn't mean his rain cloud needs to sour the mood of the crew. Get drunk, play tiddly-winks, or whatever. Do ANYTHING but ... cock-block. ... Too soon?

All in all, I thought it was a great episode. Not a lot of action, per se, but a lot of moving of major parts for the battle royales to comes.

Ha ha ha! 62 spears ... Bloody marvelous!

I'm going to start by saying that I thought my episode was playing up the begin with. No opening credits had me really confused. But it was for the better. Because we got the god damn Hound back! Since Arya 'killed' him, I always thought he would return. In this day and age of TV and movies, no one is truly dead unless you see a body and a funeral.

From then on the episode continued to role on strong. While this wasn't a big bang episode where everything happens and a million people die, it was an amazing Game of Thrones episode. What makes me really enjoy a series is when an episode can take a back seat and just lets the plot play out without anything major happening. For most people, they are called filler episodes, and to a point they are. But it's when these filler episodes are executed so fantastically and build up the story for the final few episodes that it really makes me love the show. I really loved everything with Jon and Sansa this episode. I thought the chemistry in negotiation with Jon, Sansa and Davos was so strong and at that point they probably could convince me to do anything. I thought the little girl was fantastic.I know we are starting to get to the back end of the series but I really hope she's a character we get to see more of in the next couple of years.

All the scenes at Kings Landing were great as well. This is really the first time we get to see the High Sparrow have control over the city. With him controlling Tommen and Margery, he becomes one of the most powerful characters in the show. What I really liked about these scenes is how they show that the High Sparrow wants the bigger fish. He tries to use Margery to get her grandmother on board with the High Sparrows plans. Over this season I've really loved the High Sparrow. He is the same sort of character we have Little Finger where he is a manipulator and gets his power through other people.

Something I thought was really smart this episode was the contrast between Arya and the Hound. As the Hound reappears, alive and healthy, we get to see what the Faceless Assassin has for Arya. As soon as I saw the old lady I knew something was going to happen, and when she first started getting stabbed, I thought it was going to be the end of Arya. I don't think she will die on the bases that her story only really features her, and to kill her would to completely remove that story. While the Red Wedding in many ways ended the storyline had by Rob and Catylin, it produced flow on effects that we are still seeing today.

Overall a really great episode. I really like how they are building to the end of the season and with 3 episodes left, I think we are in for a big one.

5/10

Best Part: King's Landing has really returned to form this episode, wow. Margaery actually uses like... subtext and cleverness. Cersei's stupidity is actually fun. The tyrells are really sad. Wow.

Worst Part: Everyone knows that Braavos is awful in this one, and I don't want to have to talk about it.

Jon and Sansa searching for people to fight for their cause is actually pretty good this episode. Sansa giving up on her beliefs and writing to Littlefinger is pretty sad. Lyanna Mormont is amazing! The Hound and Ian McShane are also really great. Once you accept that the Hound is somehow alive it's really good. Yara and Theon are pretty good I guess though Yara's a bit weird. The Riverlands stuff is rather contrived but also pretty good. Wow, this is actually an okayish episode.