Book of the Stranger
"Book of the Stranger" is the fourth episode of the sixth season of HBO's fantasy television series Game of Thrones, and the 54th overall.
Sansa Stark arrives at the Wall and reunites with Jon Snow, and later receives a message from Ramsay Bolton challenging Jon to come take back Winterfell and rescue Rickon Stark; Margaery Tyrell is reunited with her brother, Loras; Cersei and Jaime Lannister plot with their uncle Kevan and Olenna Tyrell to have them released; and Daenerys Targaryen faces the khals.
"Book of the Stranger" received widespread acclaim from critics, who noted the opening scene showing the reunion of Jon Snow and Sansa Stark, and the final scene of Daenerys Targaryen taking charge of all the khalasars, as high points of the episode, with one critic calling them "huge, forward moving story elements that harkened back to season 1."
Brienne confronts Davos and Melisandre, informing them she killed Stannis to avenge Renly Baratheon.
Osha claims that she intended to betray Rickon and attempts to seduce Ramsay while reaching for a knife.
Margaery is brought to meet the High Sparrow, who warns her to stay away from her life of riches and sin.
He tells her, when he was a proud cobbler, he learned his wealth and pursuits were lies and that the shoeless poor were closer to the truth.
Margaery realizes the High Sparrow hopes to use Loras to break her, and tells him to remain strong.
He manipulates Robin Arryn to consider executing Royce, then into giving him a second chance after he pledges absolute loyalty.
Littlefinger tells Robin that Sansa, his cousin, has escaped the Boltons and is taking refuge at Castle Black, but that she remains unsafe.
Theon insists he only heard the news after landing and promises to support Yara's claim at the Kingsmoot.
Despite Grey Worm and Missandei's objections, Tyrion arranges a meeting with representatives from Astapor, Yunkai and Volantis.
[2] In an interview Sackheim commented on the Jon and Sansa reunion stating "Sometimes as a director, you're just looking at what's in front of you, and not taking into account the bigger picture and the epic nature of two siblings who have been separated for six seasons — and have never had scenes together, and were both really looking forward to it — reuniting.
"[4] She continued, "Taking off my clothes is not the easiest thing, but with the magic of the effects, I don't have to do a season 1 and go on a cliff and do it, I'm in control of it.
"[4] Series co-creator and executive producer Weiss praised Clarke's portrayal in the scene saying "Emilia absolutely crushed it.
[7] "Book of the Stranger" received universal praise from critics, with many citing the reunion of Jon Snow and Sansa Stark, the final scene involving Daenerys Targaryen killing the leaders of the khalasar, and the forward moving storytelling as strong points for the episode.
The website's critical consensus reads, ""Book of the Stranger"'s warm reunions, new alliances, and exquisitely fiery finale is Game of Thrones at its best.
[9] In a review for IGN, Matt Fowler wrote of the episode, ""Book of the Stranger" handed us two very lovely, satisfying moments with the Stark/Snow reunion at Castle Black (and the subsequent vow to defeat Ramsay and rescue Rickon) and Daenerys's conquering of Vaes Dothrak.
Both were huge, forward-moving story elements that harkened back to Season 1 and gave viewers something to root for and grab onto as the show itself heads into its final arcs.
[10] Jeremy Egner of The New York Times also praised the scenes at Castle Black and in Vaes Dothrak, writing "Game of Thrones lived up to its billing as A Song of Ice and Fire on Sunday, as there was plenty of action in both of the signature halves of the story.
[12] Eliana Dockterman of Time wrote about the strong female storylines in the episode, stating "The creators of Game of Thrones have been touting the sixth season of the show as the year when women finally wreak vengeance.
