Game Of Thrones Season 6: 10 Ups And 2 Downs From 'Battle Of The Bastards'

Ups...

10. Tormund V Smalljon

Game of Thrones Tormund
HBO

Tormund has been one of the MVPs in the build-up to this battle, a no-nonsense presence who helps cut through all the Westerosi bullsh*t, is fiercely loyal to Jon, and hilariously tries to flirt with Brienne.

He's not the centre of the story, but he gets his moments, and that's very much the case here. Although he's briefly involved in the lead-up to the fight, his time comes when Smalljon Umber joins the fray and the pair get the chance to face off. It's a showdown that makes perfect sense: both are right-hand lieutenants of their respective leaders, and the Umbers are the closest thing in Westeros you get to wildlings, appearance-wise if nothing else.

Their scrap is how you'd expect: fought at close quarters, it's very physical, no room for fancy swordsmanship here, just strength and brutality. And when it seems like Smalljon Umber might be gaining the upper hand, and genuine worry sets in for Tormund (he's one of the heroic characters they might've chosen to kill off here), the wildling saves himself by TEARING OUT SMALLJON UMBER'S THROAT WITH HIS TEETH!

What a man.

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NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.