NOTE: Spoilers

Well, after a week's break due to America's Memorial Day, I think it's fair to say that Game of Thrones fans should never be left hanging in the middle of a season ever again.

It was tonight's episode that proved this is truly one of the best shows to ever grace television screens, and as the infamous 'Rains Of Castamere' was noted in the opening scenes, die-hard fans should have been expecting the worst.

We first picked up things with Gilly who was having a rough old time in the whorehouse Sam left her in. Luckily for her, whilst the Wildling army attacked the base, Ygritte showed her and her baby mercy, telling them to 'hush' so that they could stay alive.

Sam was grieving following the news of the attack. He was sure he'd now sentenced his love and her son to death, but his Brothers gave him new hope because of all the times she'd survived before. Jon noted that the next stop for Mance would be Castle Black - more on that storyline next week.

Meanwhile, the added storyline of Grey Worm and Missandei's friendship/blossoming romance went to the next level, as he spied on her bathing nude in the water. I'm not quite sure yet why the show bosses have decided to include this in the television series, but I'm good with running with it for now.

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Later on, Ser Barristan is handed a Royal letter, and discovers that since Jorah met Daenerys, he was spying on her for King Robert Baratheon. Warning his companion of his intention to tell their Queen, the time has come for Jorah to confess, despite him stopping his tell-tales quite some time ago.

Daenerys was unable to forgive Jorah, who claimed to love her, banishing him from her company with his life still intact, but promising that if he showed his face again she would have no trouble in executing him.

You can feel some sympathy with Jorah here. In a storyline that almost went stale, new life was breathed into Daenerys as the man she trusted most betrayed her, ultimately leaving her wounded and shaken up.

Theon almost had trouble in taking back Moat Calin, but when the majority of the Ironborn agreed to yielding in exchange for their lives, Ramsey got exactly what he wanted, killing everyone who had given up their city for their lives.

He was later rewarded for his efforts by his father Roose Bolton - his bastard status upgraded, and his name changed in lieu of his actions. He couldn't be more happy, and his father looks set to stick around in the North until the end of his days, noting that it's bigger than King's Landing and "the North is mine".

Book fans were rewarded with more Sansa and Petyr scenes which haven't yet been delved into in the Song of Ice and Fire novels, as Sansa backs up Petyr with the story of how her aunt Lysa jumped to her death in grief because of her jealousy.

Credit: Sky Atlantic

She admitted to being Sansa Stark and Petyr was allowed to keep his life despite the suspicions of the council at the Eyrie, before he suggested to the council members that it was time they all got behind Robin and he flocked the nest.

The greatest moment in this story arc came though when Sansa emerged at the top of the stairs, her hair now dyed black, looking regal, elegant and a little dangerous. She has been reborn, and she has finally begun to play the Game of Thrones herself, and right now if she continued to align herself with the right people, she could have a good shot of going all the way.

Sophie Turner has really transformed in this past year from a good actress to a fantastic one, and her performance in this episode is on another level completely.

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Her fantastic on-screen sister Arya - the brilliant Maisie Turner - also put on a brilliant display, bursting out laughing when she and The Hound reached the Bloody Gate, only to be informed that her aunt Lysa had died three days prior. The pair can't catch a break, and it would seem they'll now focus on going elsewhere, but I do hope they continue on their journey to the Eyrie so that the siblings can be reunited - I have a feeling the pair of them will now get on like a house on fire.

Then came the main event. It's the day of Tyrion's trial by combat, and he has Prince Oberyn Martell AKA The Red Viper fighting his corner, against The Mountain who raped and murdered his sister and her children.

There's a great scene with some fantastic dialogue from both Jaime and Tyrion in the latter's cell about their memories of childhood, relatives and the past, but their happiness is short-lived as the trial dawns on King's Landing.

Credit: Sky Atlantic

Dancing into the ring, Oberyn is armed with a simple spear and very little armour to protect him, whilst The Mountain wears his usual full suit and lunges at Oberyn with a gigantic sword.

Getting the upper hand on a couple of occasions, things are looking up for Tyrion, and it only gets better when Oberyn brings The Mountain to the ground, plunging his spear into his chest demanding for a confession for the crimes he committed against his sister, and denouncing Tywin Lannister in front of the hundreds watching.

However, we should all know by now to expect the unexpected from Game of Thrones, and with a quick flick of the wrist, Oberyn was tripped by The Mountain, his teeth smashed out in one punch, eyes gorged and skull smashed.

It was a beautifully brutal, epically gory and so-satisfying for book readers scene.

Tywin rose and declared Tyrion was guilty and sentenced to death. The look of horror on so many faces surely followed the same from those watching at home.

So, tragedy strikes again and we're only in episode eight - if tradition is to follow, episode nine should be another eventful showcase.

Game of Thrones continues next Monday, 9pm on Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD.

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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