Game of Thrones Monday: The Nightman Cometh

(WARNING: This post contains SPOILERS for season 6, episode 5 of "Game of Thrones," so if you haven't watched it yet, please skip ahead to the collectibles. OK folks, on to our recap!)

Hodor's origins are finally revealed in this week's gut-punch episode of "Game of Thrones," titled appropriately "The Door." Bran Stark's naive understanding of his dynamic warging abilities leads to a run-in with the Night's King, the creepy captain of the zombie-esque White Walkers. Turns out the Night's King ain't too fond of Bran or the Three-Eyed Raven, and after discovering Bran's whereabouts during the young Stark's ill-planned warg ride, the King and his White Walkers stage a cold-front assault on the Raven's underground hideaway. And while Bran and Meera barely make it out alive, the Raven, Bran's direwolf Summer and the loveable Hodor are all killed during the attack (although, to be fair, we don't actually watch Hodor die, but odds are not in his favor). In Bran's final flashback alongside the Raven we see a young Hodor in Winterfell go catatonic as Meera urges his older self to "hold the door" against the Walkers so she and Bran can make their escape. The poignant scene ties together the past and the present, and reminds us viewers just how dangerous the Night's King and his minions are. And if anyone else is keeping count, we're down to two direwolves from the original six: Ghost and Nymeria (though we have had no mention of Nymeria since season 1.).

Littlefinger tries to make amends with Sansa up at Castle Black and she basically tells him where to stick it, but his revelation that her uncle Brynden Tully, aka "The Blackfish," had gathered an army and retaken Riverrun may prove helpful in Sansa and Jon's quest to win back the north. Arya's grueling training continues when she is tasked with assassinating an actress in what apparently passes for decent theatre in Braavos. The bizarre scene revealed that Arya Stark is still very much Arya Stark despite her efforts to become faceless. A horrible play has a way of knocking you back into reality, it seems. And, um, gratuitous nudity anyone? Did we really need the twig-and-berries close-up? We think not.

Gemma Whelan and Alfie Allen in "Game of Thrones"

Things get decidedly more interesting on the Iron Islands as a kingsmoot is held to select a new king. Yara Greyjoy, with Theon by her side, makes a compelling argument as to why she should be chosen despite the area's history of male-dominated leadership. But her smarmy uncle, Euron Greyjoy, ultimately scores the nod by convincing the Ironborn that he'll get all Deuce Bigalow with Daenerys Targaryen and conquer the world. Euron's ascension forces Yara, Theon and their loyal followers to flee the Iron Islands, coaxing a not-too-vague threat from Euron: "Where are my niece and nephew? Let's go murder them."

Over is Vaes Dothrak, the noble Ser Jorah Mormont reveals his greyscale illness (and his feelings) to Daenerys, just as she's ready to welcome him back to her inner circle. Greyscale has no known cure, but Daenerys isn't having it and orders Jorah to discover the cure and return to her side, where he belongs. Jorah has proved his resourcefulness in the past and we wouldn't put it past the loyal knight to actually find a cure for his condition. In Meereen, Tyrion and Varys turn to another creepy red priestess to help keep the peace, and we'll just say that the GOT world is no place for the casual churchgoer. Fanatics are all the rage in the religious corners of Westeros.

And finally, at Castle Black, Jon and Sansa meet with their trusted companions -- including favorite characters such as Ser Davos Seaworth, Brienne of Tarth, and the wildling stalwart Tormund Giantsbane -- to further their plan to defeat Ramsay Bolton and retake Winterfell. The group then sets out to muster forces against Bolton, leaving Edison Tollett to run Castle Black. Anyone else loving the budding Tormund/Brienne flirtation? The episode closed on a heavy note with the aforementioned White Walker siege. We're officially at the halfway point of season 6, and things are getting more interesting by the minute. Now, a look at more GOT collectibles.

Hodor Pop! Vinyl, Funko

Hodor Pop! Vinyl by Funko

Keep Hodor in your thoughts with this terrific Pop! Vinyl from Funko. Doubles as a great doorstop (too soon...?).

Game of Thrones #1, Dynamite (2011)

"Game of Thrones" #1 by Dynamite

Dynamite has published a fantastic adaptation of George R.R. Martin's epic book series, and it all started with this impressive first isse. Sold out, but you can track a copy down on eBay or at your local comic shop.

Night's King bust, Dark Horse

Night's King bust by Dark Horse

Creep up your collection with this 9" bust from Dark Horse. Limited to 1,250 pieces, this sculpture of the Night's King comes courtesy of Cortes Studio. 

Come back tomorrow, as we count down to "X-Men: Apocalypse." And hopefully you all got the chance to catch "Preacher" on AMC after GOT, as it was an excellent introductory adaptation of the acclaimed comic series. See you tomorrow, folks!