History Recap / GameOfThronesS6E9BattleOfTheBastards

* BigGuyFatality: Wun Wun breaching Winterfell secured the victory but he dies afterward.

* KarmicDeath: Ramsay is killed by being fed to his supposedly loyal dogs, exactly what he was planning on doing to any officers he captured, and how he killed his step-mother and half-brother. Bonus points for the fact the dogs were so desperate to eat only because he had been starving them for a week.

* EatenAlive: Ramsay is left to be devoured by his own hounds.

* {{Gorn}}: Ramsay, Bastard of Bolton and HateSink extraordinaire, dies in a really grahic fashion while the camera avoids {{Gory Discretion Shot}}s for the most part. Not that you'd want them to but we do get a shot of one of his dogs biting his jaw.

* AssholeVictim: Ramsay's death is horrible, bloody, and thoroughly, '''''THOROUGHLY''''' deserved.

* BigBadassBattleSequence: The titular battle, which is filmed on a scale that rivals or surpasses the Battle of Blackwater.

* CombatByChampion: When meeting before combat, Jon offers to fight Ramsay one-on-one in order to reduce the amount of bloodshed. Ramsay, who has the numbers advantage, does not take the offer.
* CommanderContrarian: The night before the battle, Sansa criticizes Jon for not seeking her input on the upcoming battle or on Ramsay. When Jon does ask her for advice, she actually doesn't have any to give.

* DeathByAdaptation: Though his fate in ''Literature/TheWindsOfWinter'' remains to be seen, in the novels, Rickon is assumed to still be alive in Skagos.

* {{Gorn}}: Ramsay, Bastard of Bolton and HateSink extraordinaire, dies in a really grahic fashion while the camera avoids {{Gory Discretion Shot}}s for the most part. Not that you'd want them to...

* LiteralMinded: Tormund asks if Davos saw the demons of Stannis. Amusingly that could be a good question given Melissandre's witchcraft.

* TheCavalry: In a literal example of this trope, the Knights of the Vale show up right when all hope was lost and save the day by attacking the Bolton infantry in the rear with a cavalry charge announced by the sound of trumpets.

* AtopAMountainOfCorpses: So many men die in the assault on Winnterfell that the remainder are literally fighting on a wall of their corpses. Some of them aren't even dead yet, and Jon nearly gets trampled into it.

* CharacterDeath: Belicho Paenymion (the Volantene master), Razdal mo Eraz (the Yunkish Wise Master), Rickon Stark, Smalljon Umber, Wun Wun, and Ramsay Bolton die.
* TheChessmaster: Ramsay's plan to defeat Jon's army almost goes off without a hitch. The only thing he did not plan for was [[SpannerInTheWorks Little Finger and the Knights of the Vale.]]

* HollywoodTactics: Despite coming up with a serviceable battle plan that might have allowed victory against a numerically superior force, Jon ultimately blows the whole thing by leading a direct charge instead, exactly what he said they shouldn't do. His army is very nearly slaughtered by Ramsay, who has more men and a solid plan which Jon just walks right into. Ramsay goaded him into this though.

* TheOner: [[CallBack As with Hardhome]] there's an extended EpicTrackingShot following Jon in the battle.
* OnSecondThought: After his ''entire'' army is destroyed by the combined forces of the Stark and Arryn armies, Ramsay decides that he would like to invoke CombatByChampion after all. That said, [[PyrrhicVillainy he already lost his entire force]], so he had no real other options except summary execution.
* PlotArmor: Jon Snow manages to survive the brutal melee thanks to every RainOfArrows missing him, several ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind moments, and is somehow not trampled to death by the Wildlings retreating. Tormund and even Davos, who is not precisely a renowned swordsman or fighter, also survive the battle

* ShutUpHannibal: Ramsay tries to tell Sansa that he's part of her now, but she retorts there will be nothing left of him-his name, house and memory are going to disappear. Then his body does too.

Later, Yara and Theon come to Meereen for a royal audience with Dany. Tyrion reminisces mockingly over the last time Theon saw each other, [[Recap/GameOfThronesS1E1WinterIsComing at Winterfell years ago]].

Later, in his tent, Jon says if Ramsay were smart he'd stay inside Winterfell. Davos says he won't though, because then the other Northern lords would lose any fear of him and join the Starks. Fear is his power, so he can't have that. Jon says it's his weakness too, as his men don't like fighting for Ramsay. If they see the tide turning, they'll desert him. Tormund says it's his horses he fears, as he's seen what mounted warriors can do. Jon reassures him trenches will protect their flanks. Davos says they must let Ramsay charge them and make their center retreat, so he can be surrounded three ways. Tormund asks Jon if he thought Ramsay would really fight him personally. Jon says no, it was to make him angry so he'd come at them with everything. After they leave Sansa rebukes Jon for not gaining her insight while he drew up his battle plans against Ramsay, since she knows how he thinks. Jon admits his mistake. However, she does not know about battle, and can only tell him not to do as Ramsay wants. They argue, and Sansa tells Jon she will never return with Ramsay alive. Davos and Tormund reminisce about Stannis and Mance Rayder, hoping this till will go better for them. Jon goes to Melisandre, telling her that if he falls this time, not to bring him back. She replies that it is the Lord of Light's will she follows, and has to try as it seems to be his will. Davos walks to the remains of the pyre where Shireen Baratheon was sacrificed by her father Stannis, finding the burnt carved stag he gave her.

* AnnoyingArrows: Wun Wun receives arrows in his back in the midst of the battle, to no effect it seems.

* BattleChant: Bolton spearmen start shouting ominous battlecries as they close in on the Wildlings in tight formation with their shields protecting them.

* TheCavalry: In a literal example of this trope, the Knights of the Vale show up right when all hope was lost and save the day by attacking the Bolton infantry in the rear with a cavalry charge announced by sound of trumpets.

* TheChessmaster: Ramsay's plan to defeat Jon's army almost goes off without a hitch. The only thing he did not plan for was [[SpannerInTheWorks Little Finger and the Vale.]]

* DarkestHour: Jon is being trampled by the retreating wildlings and Northmen, Ramsay's forces have them cornered on all sides, and defeat looks imminent. Then the Knights of the Vale ride in, turning the tide.

* EatenAlive: Ramsay is left to be devoured by his own hounds

* FalseReassurance: Tyrion tries to assure Dany that Meereen is strong... while it's under bombardment from the Masters.
* HollywoodTactics: Despite coming up with a serviceable battle plan that might have allowed victory against a numerically superior force, Jon ultimately blows the whole thing by leading a direct charge instead, exactly what they said they shouldn't do. His army is very nearly slaughtered by Ramsay, who has more men and a solid plan which Jon just walks right into.

* KillItWithFire: The dragons utterly torch a single ship in the Masters' armada to demonstrate a point, melting flesh from bones and outright splitting the ship from the force of their attacks.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Jon beats Ramsay's face to a bloody pulp after the latter murders Wun Wun.
* OhCrap: Ramsay's look when he sees the Knights of the Vale arriving to hit his infantry in the rear and shatter their formation and then notices Jon is very much alive.

* PlotArmor: Jon Snow manages to survive the brutal melee thanks to every RainOfArrows missing him, several ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind moments, and is somehow not trampled to death by the wildlings retreating. Tormund and even Davos, who is not precisely a renowned swordsman or fighter, also surive the battle

* WeHaveReserves: Ramsay does not mind firing arrows into the cavalry charge where his men are, since he has nearly double the men and can afford to sacrifice them. To contrast, Davos refuses to let his men fire in case they hit their own men. This does have a practical purpose, however; there are so many dead at the end of it that they've formed a wall of corpses, allowing Ramsay's men to cover the remaining sides with shields and spearmen while infantry cut down anyone trying to charge over the wall.

* ScrewThisInOuttaHere: After victory is taken from him by the timely arrival of the Knights of the Vale, Ramsay Bolton [[IncrediblyLamePun bolts]] from the battleground for the safety of Winterfell.

* TheCavalry: In a literal example of this trope, the Knights of the Vale show up right when all hope was lost and save the day by attacking the Bolton forces in the rear with a cavalry charge announced by sound of trumpets.
* CharacterDeath: Two of the Masters, Rickon Stark, Smalljon Umber, Wun Wun, and Ramsay Bolton die.
* DarkestHour: Jon is being trampled by the retreating wildlings, Ramsay's forces have them cornered on all sides, and defeat looks imminent. Then the Knights of the Vale ride in, turning the tide.

* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Jon beats Ramsay's face to a bloody pulp.
* OnSecondThought: After his ''entire'' army is destroyed by the combined forces of Jon and Littlefinger's armies, Ramsay decides that he would like to invoke CombatByChampion after all. That said, [[PyrrhicVillainy he already lost his entire force]], so he had no real other options except summary execution.
* PlotArmor: Jon Snow manages to survive the brutal melee thanks to every RainOfArrows missing him, several ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind moments, and is somehow not trampled to death by the wildlings retreating.

* RainOfArrows: Ramsay's archers fire continuous barrages into Jon Snow's army and their own men.

* FalseReassurance: Tyrion tries to assure Dany Meereen is strong...while it's under bombardment from the Masters.

* KarmicDeath: Ramsay is killed by being fed to his supposedly loyal dogs. Exactly what he was planning on doing to any officers he captured, and how he killed his step-mother and half-brother. Bonus points for the fact the dogs were so desperate to eat only because he had been starving them for a week.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: Jon just smashes Ramsay in the face and does not stop until it's a bloody mess.
* OnSecondThought: After his ''entire'' army is destroyed by the combined forces of Jon and Littlefinger's armies, Ramsay decides that he would like to invoke CombatByChampion after all. That said, [[PyrrhicVillainy he already lost his entire force]], so he had no real other options except summary execution.

* WeHaveReserves: Ramsay does not mind firing arrows into the cavalry charge where his men are. To contrast, Davos refuses to let his men fire in case they hit their own men.

* PlotArmor: Jon Snow manages to survive the brutal melee thanks to every RainOfArrows missing him, several ConvenientlyTimedAttackFromBehind moments, and is somehow not trampled to death by the wildlings retreating.

* FalseReassurance: Tyrion tries to assure Dany Meereen is strong...while it's under bombardment from the Masters.

Later, Yara and Theon come to Meereen for a royal audience with Dany. Tyrion reminisces mockingly over the last time Theon saw each other, [[RecapGameOfThronesS1E1WinterIsComing at Winterfell years ago]].

Later, Yara and Theon come to Meereen for a royal audience with Dany.

'''In the North''', Jon and Sansa meet with Ramsay Bolton. Ramsay condescendingly thanks Jon for returning Sansa to him. He tells Jon to surrender and swear loyalty to him as the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. In return, he will pardon him for deserting the Night's Watch and the lords with him for betraying House Bolton. He warns Jon he does not have the power to take Winterfell, and says there's no need for slaughter. Jon agrees, there's no need for a battle. Instead, he challenges Ramsay to duel for Winterfell. Ramsay laughs at this, saying he hears Jon is the greatest swordsmen who ever lived. He doesn't know whether he'd beat Jon, but is confident that his army will beat Jon and Sansa's, since they have perhaps half his number. Jon agrees he has the numbers, but wonders whether his men will want to fight for Ramsay when they hear he wouldn't fight for them. Ramsay admiringly says Jon's good, but doesn't go for the bait. He asks if Jon will let his little brother Rickon die instead of surrender. Sansa asks for proof Ramsay has him, so they throw the head of Rickon's dire wolf Shaggydog at their feet. As he starts asking for their surrender again, Sansa warns Ramsay he will die tomorrow. Ramsay says he looks forward to having her in his bed again, and his dogs will love devouring Jon's men. Saying he'll meet them in the morning, he departs. Later in his tent, Jon says if Ramsay were smart he'd stay inside Winterfell. Davos says he won't though, because then the other Northern lords would lose any fear of him and join the Starks. Fear is his power, so he can't have that. Jon says it's his weakness too, as his men don't like fighting for Ramsay. If they see the tide turning, they'll desert him. Tormund says it's his horses he fears, as he's seen what mounted warriors can do. Jon reassures him trenches will protect their flanks.

'''In the North''', Jon and Sansa meet with Ramsay Bolton.

* FalseReassurance: Tyrion tries to assure Dany Meereen is strong while it's under bombardment from the Masters.

Terms of surrender are rejected and accepted.

* BattleChant: Bolton spearmen start shouting ominous battlecries as they close in on the Wildlings in tight formation with their shields protecting them.

!!This episode contains the following tropes:

Terms of surrender are rejected and accepted.