The new season of Game of Thrones starts July 16. As preparation, I’m re-watching the first six seasons of the show. Below are 10 thoughts I had while watching the ninth episode of season three, “The Rains of Castamere.” Spoilers for the entire series, but for this episode in particular.
- I’ve been dreading this episode. Not because it’s bad (I actually think it’s one of the best ones), but because it’s so heartbreaking to watch.
- I think the reason Walder Frey in particular is hated for the events of this episode is because he is the one who broke the guest right.
- Gilly thinks Sam’s a wizard because he reads. If only it worked like that. Then I’d have been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class by now.
- I wonder if Arya will ever make good on her promise to The Hound to “put a sword though your eye and out the back of your skull.” She had a chance once, and left him to die instead.
- Hard to believe that a girl as pretty as Roslin could be the product of Walder Frey. I suppose he was bound to get lucky eventually, considering how many children he has.
- As if this episode wasn’t sad enough, it’s the last time we see Osha and Rickon until season six.
- I hate seeing how happy and in love Robb and Talisa are at the wedding, now that I know what is about to happen.
- I started sobbing like a baby as soon as The Rains of Castamere began playing. I’m not ashamed to admit it.
- As if this episode wasn’t bad enough, they had to go and kill another direwolf. Poor Grey Wind.
- The order in which the Starks die is especially heartbreaking. Talisa is killed while Robb watches, then Robb is killed while Cat watches, before Cat herself dies. Every character has to lose someone they love before they themself are murdered.