Game Of Thrones Season 6: 10 Ups And 2 Downs From 'No One'

9. Tommen's Announcement

Game of Thrones Tommen Pycelle Kevan Lannister
HBO

Well, so much for Cleganebowl. The abolishing of trials by combat, coupled with the Hound's story in this episode, seems to put a rather heavy nail in that particular coffin.

That's almost enough for me to mark this as a 'down', because !*$% it was such an enticing prospect, but in terms of the actual narrative of this season the decision here works rather well. It means they're not falling back on a trial by combat in any way (and also don't need a contrived reason for Sandor Clegane to return to King's Landing), and makes things much harder for Cersei.

It shows just how manipulative the High Sparrow really is, and the hold he has over Tommen. Eliminating the chance of a trial by combat increases Cersei's chances of being found guilty, something Tommen should know, but he's going along with what the High Sparrow says anyway, even if we don't actually see Jonathan Pryce here.

Also, it means we're going to see just what Cersei and Qyburn have planned next, depending on what the little birds told him. Did someone say wildfire?

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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.