History Recap / GameOfThronesS5E10MothersMercy

** There's no point in assassinating Jon Snow (or stranding the wildings on the other side of the Wall) while Stannis is alive, because he also supported bringing the wildlings into the realm, and he would have hung the mutineers.

...[[WhamShot a cross marked with the word "TRAITOR".]] Jon turns around to find each one of his own men glaring at him with utter contempt and revulsion.

** There is at least ''some'' possibility that Thorne and the others were finally pushed over the edge to kill Jon when Melisandre brought news to Castle Black that Stannis had been defeated by the Boltons - and the episode just didn't show this because it wanted to maintain the element of surprise for viewers. Melisandre's return to the Wall is the only thing that changed between episodes 9 and 10, and it would still more or less fit that it happened because of the Boltons. This won't turn out to be a plot hole if in Season 6 Thorne clearly explains "we were willing to let him through the Wall with the wildlings, but once we heard the Boltons had won we knew it was only a matter of time before he attacked the Watch to kill the last known male of Stark blood" etc.

* DirtyCoward: As soon as it becomes evident that Stannis won't be winning his battle, Melisandre promptly flees the camp. Also Meryn Trant was a massive one during his death.

* DirtyCoward: As soon as it becomes evident that Stannis won't be winning his battle, Melisandre promptly flees the camp.

But, as you should know by now, Westeros runs on a conservation of happiness. That's when Myrcella starts suffering a nosebleed. She collapses into Jaime's arms. Back on shore, Ellaria also begins suffering from a nosebleed. It's pointed out to her and she quickly takes the antidote. The consort of Prince Oberyn and his bastard daughters then smugly walk off, having satisfied their need for revenge but, [[WhatAnIdiot in all likelihood, having only made things about a million times worse for their princely uncle and their cousin who is now in the hands of their enemies]].

** Stannis' missions to win the throne and save the world end in dismal failure. The great army he arrived at Castle Black with was reduced to a few hundred men on foot, his Red Woman abandons him and Stannis is personally executed by Brienne for killing Renly. He failed to achieve even the relatively modest goal of capturing Winterfell.

Back at the House of Black and White, she returns the face of the mercy-killed girl she used. However, it's then that she's found by Jaqen H'ghar and the Waif, and they are ''not'' pleased. For taking a life that wasn't hers to take, Jaqen holds up a vile of poison to Arya's face... and gets emotional, suddenly drinking it himself, collapsing to the floor. As Arya screams in anguish for the death of her friend, the Waif takes Jaqen's face, reminding her that he was never said man; he was no one at all. Arya is still someone, and not ready to be no one. And when someone is not no one, using the masks can be fatal. It's then that Arya begins suffering hallucinations before her eyes turn milky white; she's now completely blind.

* CharacterDeath: Stannis, Selyse, Myranda, Myrcella, Ser Meryn Trant and Jon Snow. %% The official website confirms Stannis, Myrcella, and Jon as dead: http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-5/episode-10/people/136/stannis-baratheon ; http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-5/episode-10/people/93/myrcella-baratheon ; http://viewers-guide.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/season-5/episode-10/people/61/jon-snow

* DeadAllAlong: Jaqen H'ghar turns out to be just another glamor, presumably taken from a dead man in the Hall of Faces. Arya has no way of knowing if the man she's been tutored by since the beginning of the season is the same Faceless Man she met in Westeros.

First Ranger Ser Aliser Thorne is the first dagger to slide into Jon's belly. "For the Watch." First Builder Othell Yarwyck gives Jon the second shank. "For the Watch." First Steward Bowen Marsh is the third fuck-head to step up with a knife to the guts. "For the Watch." A fourth and fifth brother decide to not be left out and have a go as well. "For the Watch." Bleeding out and on his knees, Jon is brought to tears when Olly approaches him. With clear sadness, but out of a desire for revenge, Olly makes the sixth and final stab to Jon's heart.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa reaches the outer battlement when she's found by Myranda and Reek; Ramsay is out partaking in the clean-up of Stannis' army; acting like he's done all the work. The psychotic common girl threatens to torture Sansa, and upon describing how Ramsay has "such plans for her," proves to be too much for Reek to endure. He picks her up and tosses her off the battlements, letting her face hit the cobbles sixty feet below. He still has a ways to go, but part of Theon is back. Upon hearing Ramsay's hunting horn, and the sound of the gates opening, Sansa and Theon jump, hand in hand, over the outer walls to land on the hopefully cushioning thick snow-bank below.

Somewhere past '''Long Lake''', the snows are melting. Melisandre gives us a knowing smile; her magic has worked and the road to Winterfell is now open. However, Stannis isn't celebrating. Mel feeds him more codswallop about the Lord of Light but he's a bit cranky after murdering his daughter. Worse? He pretty much gets told he's the worst father of the century through the actions of his men, as half of his forces packed up and left during the night, taking all their horses with them. Oopsie-daisies, looks like Mel's tea leaves were fucking wrong. Who would have thunk it? Stannis gets lectured some more about corporate-social responsibility, Selyse has decided to jump off the face of the world. Stannis sarcastically asks his remaining men how this day could get any worse... Big mistake: because that's when he learns that Melisandre, clearly now seeing the writing on the wall, has also done a runner.

In the vast stretches of '''The Dothraki Sea''', Dany is ready to get moving again while Drogon is still, literally, licking his wounds. Frustrated, she walks off, but is quickly found by a familiar sight: the Dothraki! Quickly surrounded by the horse lords, she calmly drops her now useless pearl engagement ring from Hizdahr, in the hope that it'll serve as a breadcrumb to her.

In the dark cells beneath '''The Great Sept of Baelor''', Cersei goes to confess her crimes. She says that her affair with Lancel is true, but nothing else. Yeah, that totally won't bite her in the ass later. The High Sparrow sees this is enough, and allows her to return to the Red Keep until her trial. That is, after her walk of atonement. Stripped of every article of clothing and her long hair cut short, Cersei is marched through the streets of King's Landing with an honor guard of the Faith Militant and Septa Unella, who rings a bell while repeating "Shame. Shame. Shame." As they go, the lowborn get more and more unruly, shouting every insult they can think of that they've been waiting years to say, throwing rotten fruits and vegetables at her. By the time she reaches the gates of the Red Keep, Cersei Lannister, Queen Mother, and the proud lion of Casterly Rock, is bloody and covered in filth.

With what little strength she has left, Cersei makes it into the keep, safe behind the high walls and Lannister soldiers. She's immediately covered with a blanket by Qyburn as Hand of the King Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle look on in disgust. Only Qyburn shows her sympathy, saying he needs to take a look at her cut feet. They are soon joined by a set of heavy footsteps. Cersei looks up as Qyburn introduces the latest member of the Kingsguard: an enormous seven-foot musclebound giant of a man covered in gold and white armor. The outcast maester says that this knight has taken a holy vow of silence until all of Tommen's enemies are dead. As she's carried to her chambers, Cersei's eyes burn with the fire of a thousand suns.

At '''Castle Black''', Ser Davos has arrived to ask for help from Jon Snow. However, the young Lord Commander is firm: the Night's Watch will ''not'' commit what little soldiers they have or any of the wildlings to Stannis' cause. The two argue until Melissandre arrives on horseback. The Red Woman says nothing as Davos asks about Stannis and the princess; her silence is all they need to know about what has happened to the campaign of Stannis Baratheon.

Night falls at the Wall. Jon looks through his papers, no doubt depressed at being the most hated man in the Night's Watch, the fact that Stannis is dead, and that, [[AllThereInTheManual according to the script]], none of the minor Northern houses are able to send fresh recruits. He clearly hopes there's no way this day can get any worse. Suddenly, his door bursts open, and Olly brings him the one thing in Westeros that's rarer than gold, morality, or Valyrian steel: good news. One of the wildlings says he knows his Uncle Benjen, and says he's still alive! The young Lord Commander hurries out of his office into the courtyard, where Ser Alliser says that Benjen was last seen at Hardhome (the place that was just overrun by the White Walkers). It could be a lie, or it could be the truth; they'll need to find out. Jon is lead to a gathering of black brothers near the wildling, and makes his way through the crowd to find...

...[[WhamShot a cross marked with the word "TRAITOR".]] Jon turns around to find each one of the Night's Watchmen glaring at him with utter contempt and revulsion.

First Ranger Thorne makes the first stab. "For the Watch." First Builder Yarwyck makes the second stab. "For the Watch." First Steward Marsh makes the third stab. "For the Watch." A fourth and fifth brother make their stabs. "For the Watch." Bleeding out and on his knees, Jon is brought to tears when Olly approaches him. With clear sadness, but out of a desire for revenge, Olly makes the sixth and final stab.

Somewhere past '''Long Lake''', the snows are melting. Melisandre gives us a knowing smile; her magic has worked and the road to Winterfell is now open. However, Stannis isn't celebrating. Mel feeds him more codswallop about the Lord of Light but he's a bit cranky after murdering his daughter. Worse? He pretty much gets told he's the worst father of the century through the actions of his men, as half of his forces packed up and left during the night, taking all their horses with them. Oopsie-daisies, looks like Mel's tea leaves were fucking wrong. Who would have thunk it? Stannis gets lectured some more about corporate-social responsibility, Selyse has decided to jump off the edge of the world. Stannis sarcastically asks his remaining men how this day could get any worse... Big mistake: because that's when he learns that Melisandre, clearly now seeing the writing on the wall, has also done a runner.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa reaches the outer battlement when she's found by Myranda and Reek; Ramsay is out partaking in the clean-up of Stannis' army; acting like he's done all the work. The psychotic common girl threatens to torture Sansa, and upon describing how Ramsay has "such plans for her," proves to be too much for Reek to endure. He picks her up and tosses her off the battlements, letting her face hit the cobbles sixty feet below. He still has a ways to go, but part of Theon is back. Upon hearing Ramsay's hunting horn, and the sound of the gates opening, Sansa and Theon jump, hand in hand, over the outer walls and the thick snow-bank below.

Across the Narrow Sea, in '''Braavos''', Ser Meryn Trant is still in the brothel, narrowing down his girls for being "too old." He picks one, the smallest, and has the others leave. But, surprise! It's Arya! She quickly stabs his eyes out and brings him to her knees, before describing who she is but knows he probably doesn't remember. With a swift cut, she brings an end to one of the biggest names on her list.

Back at the House of Black and White, she returns the face she had used. However, it's then that she's found by Jaqen H'ghar and the Waif, and they are ''not'' pleased. For taking a life that wasn't hers to take, Jaqen holds up a vile of poison to Arya's face...and suddenly drinks it, collapsing to the floor. As Arya screams in anguish for the death of her friend, the Waif takes Jaqen's face, reminding her that he was not Jaqen; he was no one at all. Arya is still someone, and not ready to be no one. And when someone is not no one, using the masks can be fatal. It's then that Arya's eyes turn milky white; she's now completely blind.

Back in '''Dorne''', Team Jaime is returning to King's Landing. With a strange kindness, Ellaria gives Myrcella a peck on the cheek, wishing her happiness. Bronn also says goodbye to the Sand Snakes. On the ship, Jaime and Myrcella have a moment, which culminates in her already knowing that he's actually her father. However, she's happy. She has a wonderful boyfriend and she finally acknowledges her true father. Things couldn't be better!

But, as you should know by now, Westeros runs on a conservation of happiness. That's when Myrcella starts suffering a nosebleed. She collapses into Jaime's arms. Back on shore, Ellaria also begins suffering from a nosebleed. It's pointed out to her and she quickly takes the antidote. The consort of Prince Oberyn and the Sand Snakes then smugly walk off, having satisfied their need for revenge but, in all likelihood, made things about a million times worse.

Back to the vast stretches of '''Essos'''. Dany is ready to get moving again while Drogon is still, literally, licking his wounds. Frustrated, she walks off, but is quickly found by a familiar sight: the Dothraki! Quickly surrounded by the horse lords, she calmly drops one of her rings, in the hope that it'll serve as a breadcrumb to her.

Meanwhile, Dany's ruling council meets in '''Meereen'''. Tyrion, Jorah, and Daario are soon joined by Grey Worm and Missandei. After some arguing, they come up with a logical plan: Jorah and Daario will head out and look for Dany. She's the only blonde white girl on a continent the size of Eurasia. [[SarcasmMode It'll be easy.]] In the meantime, Tyrion will be left in Meereen and run the city; it is what he's best at. Along with Grey Worm and Missandei, the honest Lannister is joined by a familiar face. Yep, Varys has finally arrived in Meereen, and he's ready to help Tyrion run this city!

In the dark cells beneath '''King's Landing''', Cersei goes to confess her crimes. She says that her affair with Lancel is true, but nothing else. Yeah, that totally won't bite her in the ass later. The High Sparrow sees this is enough, and allows her to return to the Red Keep until her trial. That is, after her walk of atonement. Stripped of every article of clothing and her long hair cut short, Cersei is marched through the streets of King's Landing with an honor guard of the Faith Militant and Septa Unella, who rings a bell while repeating "Shame. Shame. Shame." As they go, the lowborn get more and more unruly, shouting every insult they can think of that they've been waiting years to say, throwing rotten fruits and vegetables at her. By the time she reaches the gates of the Red Keep, Cersei Lannister, Queen Mother, and the proud lion of Casterly Rock, is bloody and covered in filth.

Somewhere past '''Long Lake''', the snows are melting. Melisandre smiles a knowing smile; her magic has worked and the road to Winterfell is now open. However, Stannis isn't celebrating. He had to sacrifice his daughter to get this far, and he's not happy about that. He quickly tells her off when she tries to congratulate him, only to get a string of bad news. Seems half of his forces packed up and left, taking all the horses with them. Who knew that people you pay to fight for you will only fight so far? To add to that, Selyse is found having hung herself on a tree. Stannis sarcastically asks his remaining men how this day could get any worse...and that's when he learns that Melisandre, clearly now seeing the writing on the wall, has also fled.

Up north at '''Castle Black''', Jon Snow and Sam discuss how they're in need of a maester. Rather than wait for the Citadel to appoint a new one, they reach a better idea: ''Sam'' will leave for Oldtown and become the Watch's new maester, even though it takes years to be trained and he still won't be able to be with Gilly. But they agree that it's better for Sam, Gilly, and little Sam to be as far from the Wall as possible. The three soon leave, which turns out to be excellent timing on their part.

Meanwhile, at '''Winterfell''', Sansa has finally managed to get into the tower and lights her candle. Unfortunately, Brienne of Tarth picks just that moment to look away as she learns that Stannis' army is approaching. On the hills outside the castle, Stannis draws his sword as he sees that the Boltons have rallied a large army against him, at least twice his number. He charges with only his most loyal or most fanatical followers; most of his army routs into the woods. Sansa, meanwhile, sees that the bulk of the Boltons' army is out there, and quickly gets out of the tower.

Soon after, Stannis is still somehow alive, and manages to fight off a pair of Bolton soldiers who are mopping up. However, his injuries prove severe and he collapses at a tree. It's there that he's found by Brienne of Tarth, who promptly executes him in the name of King Renly. Thus ends the war of Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name, and Warrior of Light.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa reaches the outer battlement when she's found by Myranda and Reek; Ramsay is out partaking in the clean-up of Stannis' army. The psychotic common girl threatens to torture Sansa, and upon describing how Ramsay has "such plans for her," causes to be too much for Reek to endure. He fights her and tosses her off the wall, killing her. He still has a ways to go, but Theon is on his way back. Upon hearing Ramsay's hunting horn, and the sound of the gates opening, Sansa and Reek/Theon jump, hand in hand, over the wall to escape from Winterfell.

Get ready: today is officially the worst day for several main characters.

Somewhere past '''Long Lake''', the snows are melting. Melissandre smiles a knowing smile; her magic has worked and the road to Winterfell is now open. However, Stannis isn't celebrating. He had to sacrifice his daughter to get this far, and he's not happy about that. He quickly tells her off when she tries to congratulate him, only to get a string of bad news. Seems half of his forces packed up and left, taking all the horses with them. Who knew that people you pay to fight for you will only fight so far? To add to that, Selyse is found having hung herself on a tree. Stannis sarcastically asks his remaining men how this day could get any worse...and that's when he learns that Melissandre, clearly now seeing the writing on the wall, has also fled.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa reaches the outer battlement when she's found by Myranda and Reek; Ramsay is out partaking in the mopup of Stannis' army. The psychotic common girl threatens to torture Sansa, and upon describing how Ramsay has "such plans for her," causes to be too much for Reek to endure. He fights her and tosses her off the wall, killing her. He still has a ways to go, but Theon is on his way back. Upon hearing Ramsay's hunting horn, and the sound of the gates opening, Sansa and Reek/Theon jump, hand in hand, over the wall to escape from Winterfell.

Meanwhile, Dany's ruling council meets in '''Meereen'''. Tyrion, Jorah, and Daario are soon joined by Grey Worm and Missandei. After some arguing, they come up with a logical plan: Jorah and Daario will head out and look for Dany. She's the only blonde white girl on a continent the size of Eurasia. [[SarcasmMode It'll be easy.]]. In the meantime, Tyrion will be left in Meereen and run the city; it is what he's best at. Along with Grey Worm and Missandei, the honest Lannister is joined by a familiar face. Yep, Varys has finally arrived in Meereen, and he's ready to help Tyrion run this city!

With what little strength she has left, Cersei makes it into the keep. She's immediately covered with a blanket by Qyburn as Hand of the King Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle look on in disgust. Only Qyburn shows her sympathy, saying he needs to take a look at her cut feet. They are soon joined by a set of heavy footsteps. Cersei looks up as Qyburn introduces the latest member of the Kingsguard: an enormous seven-foot musclebound giant of a man covered in gold and white armor. The outcast maester says that this knight has taken a holy vow of silence until all of Tommen's enemies are dead. As she's carried to her chambers, Cersei's eyes burn with the fire of a thousand suns.

* AllThereInTheManual: [[http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/11/game-thrones-jon-snow-death-script According to the script]], those scrolls that Jon reads at the end are from various Norther houses expressing their regret that they are unable to send any fresh recruits to the Night's Watch, for reasons such as their manpower being tapped from the war and that winter is here.

With what little strength she has left, Cersei makes it into the keep. He's immediately covered by Qyburn as Hand of the King Kevan Lannister and Grand Maester Pycelle look on in disgust. Only Qyburn shows her sympathy, saying he needs to take a look at her cut feet. They are soon joined by a set of heavy footsteps. Cersei looks up as Qyburn introduces the latest member of the Kingsguard: an enormous seven-foot musclebound giant of a man covered in gold and white armor. The outcast maester says that this knight has taken a holy vow of silence until all of Tommen's enemies are dead. As she's carried to her chambers, Cersei's eyes burn with the fire of a thousand suns.

Night falls at the Wall. Jon looks through his papers, no doubt depressed at being the most hated man in the Night's Watch, and the fact that Stannis is dead. He clearly hopes there's no way this day can get any worse. Suddenly, his door bursts open, and Olly brings him the one thing in Westeros that's rarer than gold, morality, or Valyrian steel: good news. One of the wildlings says he knows his Uncle Benjen, and says he's still alive! The young Lord Commander hurries out of his office into the courtyard, where Ser Alliser says that Benjen was last seen at Hardhome (the place that was just overrun by the White Walkers). It could be a lie, or it could be the truth; they'll need to find out. Jon is lead to a gathering of black brothers near the wildling, and makes his way through the crowd to find...

At '''Castle Black''', Ser Davos has arrived to ask for help from Jon Snow. However, the young Lord Commander is firm: the Night's Watch will ''not'' commit what little soldiers they have or any of the wildlings to Stannis' cause. The two argue until Melissandre arrives on horseback. The Red Woman says nothing as Davos asks about Stannis and the princess; her silence is all they need to know about what has happened to the campaign of Stannis Baratheon.

Night falls at '''Castle Black'''. Jon looks through his papers, no doubt depressed at being the most hated man in the Night's Watch, and the fact that Stannis is dead. He clearly hopes there's no way this day can get any worse. Suddenly, his door bursts open, and Olly brings him the one thing in Westeros that's rarer than gold, morality, or Valyrian steel: good news. One of the wildlings says he knows his Uncle Benjen, and says he's still alive! The young Lord Commander hurries out of his office into the courtyard, where Ser Alliser says that Benjen was last seen at Hardhome (the place that was just overrun by the White Walkers). It could be a lie, or it could be the truth; they'll need to find out. Jon is lead to a gathering of black brothers near the wildling, and makes his way through the crowd to find...

Night falls at '''Castle Black'''. Jon looks through his papers, no doubt depressed at being the most hated man in the Night's Watch, and the fact that Stannis is dead. He clearly hopes there's no way this day can get any worse. Suddenly, his door bursts open, and Olly brings him the one thing in Westeros that's rarer than gold, morality, or Valerian steel: good news. One of the wildlings says he knows his Uncle Benjen, and says he's still alive! The young Lord Commander hurries out of his office into the courtyard, where Ser Alliser says that Benjen was last seen at Hardhome (the place that was just overrun by the White Walkers). It could be a lie, or it could be the truth; they'll need to find out. Jon is lead to a gathering of black brothers near the wildling, and makes his way through the crowd to find...

...[[WhamShot a cross marked with the word "TRAITOR".]] Jon turns around to find each one of the Night's Watchmen glaring at him with utter contempt and disgust.