Game Of Thrones: Ranking Every Season 6 Storyline From Worst To Best

Key Characters: Sandor "The Hound" Clegane, Beric Dondarrion, Brother Ray, Thoros of Myr, Lem Lemoncloak

Best Moment: The Hound is alive!...

Worst Moment: ... but Cleganebowl is not.

On June 5, 2016, at approximately 9:01 p.m. EST, a curious phenomenon occurred. Game of Thrones fans all over the world leaped out of their seats and starting cheering. Why? Because after years of being kind-of-presumed-dead-but-also-not-really, Sandor Clegane, lover of chickens and profanity, has finally returned.

The Hound's return is excellent and has an immense impact, even though more screen time would have been greatly appreciated. It's a rare case of a character coming back from the dead that actually made sense, both from a logical and storyline perspective. The Hound is one of the most complex characters in the show, with a slow, organic build from a ruthless mercenary to a sympathetic anti-hero. This made him a beloved character, thanks in large part to Rory McCann's incredible portrayal.

Of course, fans would be more than thrilled with this had their expectations not been hampered by Tommen "hype-killer" Baratheon. Tommen declares trial by combat, and by extension the long awaited "Cleganebowl" pitting The Hound against The Mountain, illegal. Those dreaming for a clash between the two brothers have their hopes dashed, at least for the time being.

In hindsight, it is perhaps overly optimistic for fans to wish for so much good will from a show that rarely doles it out. Surely Cleganebowl is just around the corner.