It’s (finally!) Stark versus Bolton in Game of Thrones 6×09, and new stills make it clear that neither side is going quietly.
The long-awaited confrontation will play out in Sunday night’s episode, titled “Battle of the Bastards” (as subtlety flies out the tower window). HBO has released eight images from Game of Thrones 6×09, every one of them focused on the Northern conflict. As in last year’s “Hardhome” and season 4’s “The Watchers on the Wall,” it seems that the entirety of the episode will be devoted to the violence unfurling across the bleak and snowy landscape.
The first two stills offer a look at Jon and Davos, both on horses. Jon looks rather worn down, though it’s hard to tell whether that’s due to something horrible happening (…where is Rickon…) or just the way his face is.
Next up comes Sansa and Jon together. With her braid, furs, and unforgiving expression, Sansa is channeling the Celtic warrior queen Boudica rather powerfully — let’s hope she has the opportunity to kick ass along those same lines.
On the opposite side of the fray, Ramsay Bolton sits atop his steed. He looks like a smarmy, evil piece of excrement. We hope he dies.
Diving into the battle proper, we have Tormund, who looks like a man unleashed from his unhappy bonds to fulfill a bloody destiny. Fingers crossed for a badass battle cry!
Next up is — OH DANG, THAT THERE IS A CHARGING GIANT. Die, Boltons! Die!
And as the lines of battle array uneasily, awaiting carnage and death…
Jon Snow stands alone with a sword in front of a galloping company of horses. Good idea, Jon.
The only other hints on offer about “Battle of the Bastards” come from the episode teaser, as HBO has not released a synopsis for either Game of Thrones 6×09 or next week’s finale. That’s pretty ominous… as is the trailer.
Ramsay burns eerie crosses. Sansa knows her enemy. Davos seems to learn a secret, Jon Snow makes a final request, and battle commences to such a degree that somewhere in New Zealand, Peter Jackson is wetting himself.
Forget winter. War is coming, people — and we are so ready.
Game of Thrones 6×09, “Battle of the Bastards,” airs Sunday, June 19 at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.