Game of Thrones Monday: Judgment Day

(WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for season 6, episode 10 of "Game of Thrones" entitled "The Winds of Winter," so if you haven't watched it already, please skip ahead to the collectibles. Now, on to our last recap this season!)

Season six of "Game of Thrones" ended with an emerald bang Sunday night. Rather than face trial, Cersei Lannister masterminds a plot that would start with the murder of Grand Maester Pycelle (brutally stabbed to death by extras from the cast of "Oliver!") and end when dozens of wildfire-filled barrels under the Sept of Baelor go ka-blooey, killing the High Sparrow and his Faith Militant followers, Kevan Lannister (Cersei's uncle), three key members of the powerful Tyrell family (Loras, Mace and Margaery) and hundreds of innocent King's Landing citizens. After witnessing the carnage, King Tommen (Cersei was certain her last living son was not in the Sept at the time of the explosion) takes a swan dive out of the balcony window. Not unlike what "The Mad King" Aerys Targaryen threatened before Jaime Lannister killed him all those years before, Cersei elects to "burn them all" instead of face justice for her transgressions. When we last see Cersei, she is being anointed Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and taking a seat on the Iron Throne while Jaime -- having just returned from Riverrun -- looks on disapprovingly. Cersei's reign will likely be a short one, however, as enemies approach from all directions, and the Lannisters are severely outnumbered. This episode reminded viewers that despite all of the Joffreys and Ramsays and Waifs of the GOT world, it doesn't get more villainous than Cersei Lannister.

Emilia Clarke and Peter Dinklage in "Game of Thrones"

In Meereen, Daenerys has a fantastic heart-to-heart with Tyrion. He pledges his unending loyalty to her, and she appoints him Hand of the Queen, even giving him his own "Hand" pin (this one silver rather than the gold version used in King's Landing). Tyrion has come full circle -- he has a second chance to be the Hand, this time for someone worthy and capable of ruling the Seven Kingdoms. Questions about whether or not Daenerys should be considered a "villain" can be put to rest now that Cersei has cemented her place atop Evildoer Mountain. It's pretty clear now that only two people should truly be considered for rulership of the Seven Kingdoms -- Daenerys and Jon Snow (we'll get to Jon in a minute). Others will certainly try to squirm their way onto the Iron Throne (Littlefinger admits to wanting to rule alongside Sansa), but only Daenerys and Jon have legitimate claims.

One of the episode's most applaudable moments comes when Walder Frey sits alone in his hall, wondering where all his numbskull kids have gotten off to. Walder, of course, is the patriarch of the slimy Frey family and the man responsible for the Red Wedding and the cowardly murder of Robb and Catelyn Stark, among others. A young servant girl brings Walder a pie as he asks about the whereabouts of his children. "They're right here," she continues to say, finally revealing that the Freys have been butchered and literally cooked into the pie. The girl then pulls off a mask and we discover it is none other than Arya Stark. Arya cuts Walder's throat and makes sure he knows his death is at the hands of a Stark. "The last thing you're going to see is a Stark staring down at you as you die," Arya says. Three full seasons after the Red Wedding, and we finally get some comeuppance for the creepy Freys. Arya is the great x-factor in the GOT world -- as ambitious would-be rulers like Daenerys and Cersei muster armies and cross oceans, Arya traverses the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike at those who have wronged her family.

And the long-standing fan theory of R+L=J (that Jon Snow's true parents are Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark) was finally proven true as Bran flashed back again to the Tower of Joy, where a young Ned Stark finds his sister, Lyanna, dying after child birth. Ned promises Lyanna that he will look after her son, Jon. So we now know that Jon is part Targaryen, part Stark. Jon would make one heckuva good king, but Daenerys would make a good queen, too. We're curious who will end up on the Iron Throne when all is said and done (could they possibly rule together? Stranger things have happened). It is also revealed that winter is no longer coming -- it's here.

The show runners have stated that there are likely two short seasons of "Game of Thrones" left (perhaps seven episodes per season), and it seems clear we're heading toward the final confrontations -- Daenerys and her allies against the Lannisters in King's Landing, and the White Walkers against, well, everyone, starting in the north. George R.R. Martin has written five exceptional books (with the sixth, "The Winds of Winter," on the way) and HBO has adapted those books beautifully. It will be something of a bummer when the series finally ends, but what an amazing series in has been. We're sure the ending, when it does arrive, will be well worth the wait. Season 7 of "Game of Thrones" is expected to drop next April (ish), and we'll be back with our weekly recaps then. Now, on to one last look at some GOT collectibles. Valar Morghulis!

Helm of Loras Tyrell, HBO

Helm of Loras Tyrell, HBO

This detailed replica of Loras Tyrell's stylized helm is limited to 1,000 pieces and is made of wearable fiberglass. The impressive collectible includes a wooden stand with the sigil of House Tyrell. The helm is still available on the HBO website for $250.

"Wildfire" print, Fernando Reza/Spoke Art

"Wildfire" print by Fernando Reza/Spoke Art

Part of Spoke Art's recent "Lord of the Thrones" show, this print by artist Fernando Reza gives wildfire something of a Parisian flair. The fine art lithograph measures 24"x36" and is signed and numbered by Reza. Super affordable at only $20 ($220 if you want it framed), but will likely sell out and rise in value quickly. Look out for Reza's accompanying pieces, "Milk of the Poppy" and "Valyrian Steel."

"Game of Thrones" Map and Map Marker set, Dark Horse

Map and Map Marker set by Dark Horse

The board is set and the pieces are moving. As the final conflicts approach, get a lay of the land with this map and marker set from Dark Horse. The map is made of cloth and measures 50"x35.5" and comes with six markers representing House Stark, House Lannister, House Greyjoy, House Tyrell, House Martell and House Frey. It goes for about $200 on the Dark Horse website.

As always, we're a bit sad to see this season of "Game of Thrones" come to an end. But fans should be thrilled with the way the season played out and have plenty to look forward to in the next couple of years. Share your thoughts about this season of "Game of Thrones" in the Comments section below, and come back tomorrow for more from the CollecTwins!