Game of Thrones (season 5)

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Game of Thrones (season 5)
Game of Thrones Season 5.png
Region 1 DVD artwork
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network HBO
Original release April 12, 2015 (2015-04-12) – June 14, 2015 (2015-06-14)
Season chronology
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Season 4
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Season 6
List of Game of Thrones episodes

The fifth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones was ordered by HBO in April 2014, together with the sixth season,[1] and aired from April 12 to June 14, 2015.[2] It primarily adapts material from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, the fourth and fifth novels in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, though it also uses elements from the third novel, A Storm of Swords, as well as the upcoming sixth novel The Winds of Winter.[3][4][5] It also contains original content not found in Martin's novels.[6] This season set a record for winning the highest number of Emmy Awards for a series in a single year, winning 12 out of 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.[7]

Plot

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In Meereen, the insurgent "Sons of the Harpy" have started to revolt against Daenerys Targaryen's regime by murdering citizens and Unsullied, also taking the life of Barristan Selmy. In order to regain peace and control, Daenerys complies with the request of re-opening the fighting pits while taking Hizdahr zo Loraq as husband.

Tyrion Lannister arrives in Pentos along with Varys, and they begin their journey to Meereen together. They pass through Volantis, where Tyrion is abducted by Jorah Mormont, who takes him to Meereen as a way to redeem himself to Daenerys. Daenerys takes Tyrion as her advisor, but orders Jorah exiled once more. After the Sons of the Harpy mount an attack on Daenerys and her retinue at the fighting pits, Jorah saves her life. Drogon reappears and Daenerys flies away on his back, ultimately landing in the Dothraki sea, where she is captured by Dothraki horsemen. Jorah and Daario Naharis leave to search for Daenerys, while Tyrion, Varys, Missandei, and Grey Worm remain to rule Meereen.

At the Wall, Stannis Baratheon has Mance Rayder burned alive for treason. Stannis promises Jon Snow legitimacy and rule of Winterfell should he ride with him against the Boltons, but Jon declines the offer and stays at the Wall. As newly elected Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jon forms an alliance with the Wildlings, much to the dismay of the rest of the Night's Watch. They begin evacuating Wildlings at Hardhome, when the settlement suddenly comes under attack from White Walkers and their wight armies. Though many die and are revived as wights, the brothers still manage to rescue a large number of Wildlings and Jon leads them through the tunnel to Castle Black, south of the Wall. After Samwell Tarly and Gilly leave for Oldtown and Maester Aemon passes away, the majority of the Night's Watch become disillusioned with Jon's leadership and see him as a traitor. They lure Jon into a trap and stab him, leaving him to die.

In the Vale, Littlefinger puts Robin Arryn in the care of House Royce and leaves for Winterfell with Sansa Stark. Brienne, still loyal to the oath she swore to Catelyn Stark, follows them with her squire Podrick. In Winterfell, Sansa is reunited with Reek and marries Ramsay Bolton to form an alliance between the Vale and the Boltons. Ramsay subjects Sansa to physical and psychological abuse, including raping her on their wedding night while forcing Reek to watch. After Reek reveals to Sansa that he did not kill her brothers Bran and Rickon, the two escape together, jumping off the castle walls.

At his camp in the North, Stannis reluctantly acquiesces to Melisandre's demands to burn Shireen alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light. As a result, Melisandre flees for Castle Black, Selyse commits suicide, and half of the Baratheon forces desert. The remaining Baratheon forces march on Winterfell, but are swiftly defeated by the Boltons. In the aftermath of the battle, a wounded Stannis is killed by Brienne of Tarth.

In King's Landing, Lancel Lannister becomes a member of the devoutly religious "Sparrows". Following the wedding of Margaery Tyrell and Tommen Baratheon, Cersei Lannister begins losing control of Tommen, and with him, her power source. She tries to regain her status by authorizing the revival of the Faith Militant, the military wing of the Faith of the Seven. The Sparrows quickly begin imposing their puritanical views upon King's Landing by ridding it of all "sins", in the process also seizing Loras Tyrell for being homosexual. They proceed to imprison him, as well as Margaery and Cersei herself for committing various sins. Cersei is released after confessing to adultery with Lancel and being forced to march naked through King's Landing, but receives consolation from Qyburn's successful reanimation of Ser Gregor Clegane.

In Dorne, the Sand Snakes, the bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell, seek vengeance against the Lannisters for the death of their father, along with his paramour Ellaria Sand. After a threatening message arrives in King's Landing from Dorne, Bronn and Jaime Lannister travel to Dorne to rescue Myrcella Baratheon. Oberyn's brother Doran Martell discovers that Ellaria Sand had sent the message and allows Jaime and Myrcella to leave for King's Landing, provided Myrcella's betrothed Trystane Martell joins them and obtains a seat on the Small Council. En route to King's Landing, Myrcella dies, having been poisoned by Ellaria.

Arya Stark arrives in Braavos and starts training with the Faceless Men, guided by Jaqen H'ghar and another young woman, the Waif. After developing the ability to lie convincingly, she is given the task of assassinating a dishonest insurance agent. However, after Meryn Trant's arrival in Braavos, Arya neglects her mission to steal a false face from the House of Black and White and assassinate him instead. Upon her return to the temple, Arya is struck blind.

Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
41 1 "The Wars to Come" Michael Slovis David Benioff & D. B. Weiss April 12, 2015 (2015-04-12) 8.00[8]
In a flashback, a witch tells a young Cersei that someone younger and more beautiful than herself will one day steal her accomplishments. After Tywin's burial, Cersei chastises Jaime for freeing Tyrion. Lancel Lannister returns, now a devoutly religious man and a member of the "Sparrows". In Pentos, a despondent Tyrion agrees to accompany Varys to Meereen to support Daenerys's claim on the Iron Throne. In Meereen, the insurgent "Sons of the Harpy" murder an Unsullied, and Hizdahr zo Loraq and Daario Nahaaris try to convince Daenerys to reopen the traditional fighting pits to appease the former Mereenese elites. Daenerys' locked-away dragons breathe fire at her when she comes to check on them. In the Vale, Littlefinger puts Robin in the care of House Royce and leaves with Sansa, their caravan passing Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne. At the Wall, Stannis seeks to enlist the Wildlings in his war against Roose Bolton. Jon Snow is unable to convince Mance Rayder to accept Stannis's authority. Stannis then has Mance burned alive for treason, though Jon shoots him with an arrow to kill him quickly.
42 2 "The House of Black and White" Michael Slovis David Benioff & D. B. Weiss April 19, 2015 (2015-04-19) 6.81[9]
Arya arrives in Braavos and is accepted into the House of Black and White, also called the temple of the Many-faced God. Jaime tells Cersei he is going to Dorne to bring back Myrcella and recruits Bronn to assist him; Podrick Payne recognises Littlefinger and Sansa in a tavern; Brienne of Tarth tries to offer Sansa her protection because of her vow of allegiance to Catelyn Stark but is rebuffed. Stannis offers Jon Snow legitimacy and lordship of Winterfell if he leaves the Night's Watch to help him, but Jon declines; Samwell nominates Jon as a candidate for Lord Commander, and he is elected by the casting vote of Maester Aemon. Daenerys faces a riot after she decides to execute a former slave who murdered a captured member of the Sons of the Harpy before he could be tried. Drogon reappears when Daenerys is atop her citadel overlooking the city of Meereen.
43 3 "High Sparrow" Mark Mylod David Benioff & D. B. Weiss April 26, 2015 (2015-04-26) 6.71[10]
Margaery, newly wed to Tommen, manipulates her husband into planning to send Cersei to Casterly Rock. Baelish conducts Sansa Stark to Winterfell to cement an alliance with Roose Bolton through her marriage to his son Ramsay; Sansa will consolidate the Bolton hold on the North, while Baelish hints that an alliance between the North and the Vale would be capable of bringing down the kingdom. Jon Snow refuses Stannis' offer to make him Lord of Winterfell, and Stannis plans to leave for King's Landing via Winterfell. To adapt in the House of Black and White, Arya throws all her personal effects into the river except for Needle, which she hides in a pile of rocks. At Castle Black, Jon names Ser Alliser First Ranger, but Janos Slynt refuses to follow Jon's orders that he leave to rebuild Greygard. Snow executes Slynt himself. Lancel finds the High Septon in a compromising situation in Littlefinger's brothel; in a purge, Cersei decides to speak to the High Sparrow. Tyrion and Varys arrive in Volantis and visit a brothel, where Tyrion is abducted by Jorah Mormont.
44 4 "Sons of the Harpy" Mark Mylod Dave Hill May 3, 2015 (2015-05-03) 6.82[11]
The Sparrows arrest Loras Tyrell. Margaery is enraged, but Tommen proves too weak to arrange his release. Melisandre tries to seduce Jon Snow in an attempt to convince Snow to go to Winterfell with Stannis. In the crypts of Winterfell, Baelish reveals he has been summoned to return to King's Landing by Cersei. Before leaving, he tries to dispel Sansa's misgivings towards Ramsay Bolton, telling her that even if Stannis does not defeat the Boltons and rescue her, she can easily manipulate Ramsay. Bronn and Jaime land secretly in Dorne; they encounter and kill four horsemen, then use their clothes and gear as disguises. The Sand Snakes learn from a sea captain that Jaime has come to Dorne for Myrcella; Ellaria convinces the Sand Snakes to plan to avenge the death of Oberyn by abducting Myrcella before Jaime can intervene. Ser Jorah plans to redeem himself to Daenerys by giving Tyrion to her as a prisoner. In Meereen, Hizdahr zo Loraq makes another appeal to Daenerys to reopen the fighting pits; the Sons of the Harpy run amok and ambush an Unsullied patrol inside the citadel; Grey Worm is critically wounded and Ser Barristan is killed.
45 5 "Kill the Boy" Jeremy Podeswa Bryan Cogman May 10, 2015 (2015-05-10) 6.56[12]
Brienne and Podrick arrive at an inn near Winterfell and asks for help getting a message to Sansa, who, in Winterfell, is reunited with Reek, formerly Theon Greyjoy. At the Wall, Tormund accepts an alliance with the Night's Watch that will allow Wildlings to settle south of the Wall. Jon agrees to accompany Tormund to meet the Wildlings at Hardhome. Stannis' army leaves for Winterfell, taking Selyse and Shireen with them. In Meereen, Grey Worm recuperates. Daenerys feeds a Meereenese noble to Viserion and Rhaegal in retaliation for Ser Barristan's death and imprisons others. She later agrees to reopen the fighting pits and marry Hizdahr zo Loraq to facilitate peace. At sea, Tyrion and Jorah sail through Valyria and are attacked by a group of stone men. They manage to escape, but Jorah is infected with greyscale.
46 6 "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" Jeremy Podeswa Bryan Cogman May 17, 2015 (2015-05-17) 6.24[13]
Jaqen takes Arya to a chamber with the faces of all the people that have died in the House of Black and White. Jaime and Bronn reach the Water Gardens, where they find Myrcella and are attacked by the Sand Snakes. The fight is broken up by Dornish guards. Jorah and Tyrion run into slavers, whom Tyrion manages to convince to take them to the fighting pits of Meereen. Petyr informs Cersei of Roose's plan to marry Sansa to Ramsay, and convinces her to allow him to lead the knights of the Vale to Winterfell to destroy both the Boltons and Stannis, asking that he be named Warden of the North in return. Olenna arrives in King's Landing and warns Cersei that the imprisonment of Loras has put their alliance in peril. At Loras' hearing, Loras and Margaery both deny Loras' homosexuality. Olyvar contradicts their testimony, and Margaery is arrested for lying to the gods. In Winterfell, Sansa is married to Ramsay, who rapes her in front of Reek.
47 7 "The Gift" Miguel Sapochnik David Benioff & D. B. Weiss May 24, 2015 (2015-05-24) 5.40[14]
Jon leaves for Hardhome with Tormund and some rangers. Maester Aemon dies shortly after. Gilly is attacked by two brothers, but Sam comes to her rescue. Sansa asks Reek to help her escape Winterfell, but Reek instead informs Ramsay, who flays the woman who had offered to help Sansa. At Stannis' army's camp, Melisandre suggests sacrificing Shireen; Stannis is disgusted and refuses. Jorah and Tyrion are sold as slaves to Yezzan zo Qaggaz. The two are brought to a local fighting pit that Daenerys and her consort happen to be visiting in preparation for the coming games at Daznak's pit. Jorah defeats the other slaves and reveals his identity to Daenerys, and that he brought Tyrion as a gift for her. In Dorne, Myrcella asks Jaime why he came to rescue her when she wants to marry Trystane. Olenna's demand for Loras and Margaery's release is declined by the High Sparrow. Later, the High Sparrow reveals to Cersei his knowledge of her and Lancel's adulterous and incestuous relationship and has her imprisoned.
48 8 "Hardhome" Miguel Sapochnik David Benioff & D. B. Weiss May 31, 2015 (2015-05-31) 7.01[15]
Cersei refuses to confess her sins. Arya assumes the identity of Lana, an oyster merchant. Jaqen tells her to study a thin man who sells marine insurance, but has defrauded benefactors. She is to learn everything about the thin man, and then poison him. Olly questions Sam about Jon's alliance with the wildlings. Reek tells Sansa there is no escape from Ramsay, and reveals that he faked the deaths of her younger brothers. Ramsay suggests to his father that they move on Stannis and asks for twenty good men. In Meereen, Tyrion convinces Daenerys to spare Jorah's life and she exiles him again. Jorah goes back to Yezzan and asks permission to fight in the pits. Daenerys accepts Tyrion into her council. Arriving at Hardhome, Jon and Tormund convince about five thousand wildlings to join them, when Hardhome is attacked by an army of wights. Jon kills a White Walker with his Valyrian-steel sword. As Jon and the survivors sail away, they witness the Night's King reanimating the deceased wildlings as wights.
49 9 "The Dance of Dragons" David Nutter David Benioff & D. B. Weiss June 7, 2015 (2015-06-07) 7.14[16]
During a snowstorm, Stannis' camp is sabotaged when Ramsay's force of twenty men completely destroy the entire camp's siege equipment and food stores, while inflicting heavy losses on the army's horses. Melisandre insists they must make a sacrifice of King's Blood to reach Winterfell. Stannis reluctantly offers his daughter, Princess Shireen, burning her alive at the stake, while she desperately cries out for her parents. Jon and the wildlings return to the Wall, where their welcome is fraught with tension. In Dorne, Prince Doran permits Jaime to return to King's Landing with Myrcella, provided Trystane accompany them and serve on the small council in Oberyn's stead. In Meereen, the fights at Daznak's pit begin, and Daenerys is stunned to see Jorah amongst the combatants. Although he is successful, his triumph is interrupted by a fierce attack by the Sons of the Harpy, who quickly surround Daenerys and her supporters. Just as all hope seems lost, Drogon arrives, and Daenerys mounts her dragon and flies away from Meereen, her followers and enemies watching alike in awe.
50 10 "Mother's Mercy" David Nutter David Benioff & D. B. Weiss June 14, 2015 (2015-06-14) 8.11[17]
Sam, Gilly and her child leave for Oldtown for Sam to become a maester. Selyse hangs herself and half of Stannis' forces desert him; Stannis is defeated by the Boltons and consequently killed by Brienne, while Melisandre flees to Castle Black. Sansa escapes her room, but is caught by Myranda. Theon kills Myranda and he and Sansa escape from Winterfell. Cersei confesses to sleeping with Lancel and is forced to face atonement. Upon reaching the Red Keep, Qyburn introduces a new member of the Kingsguard. Jaime, Myrcella, Bronn and Trystane sail from Dorne. After Myrcella tells Jaime that she knows he is her father, she dies of poison from Ellaria. Arya infiltrates a brothel and kills Ser Meryn. Arya is blinded for violating the terms of the Faceless Men. Varys arrives in Meereen to rule the city with Tyrion, Grey Worm and Missandei, while Daario and Jorah search for Daenerys, who, far away, is found by a large group of Dothraki. At Castle Black a group of brothers, including Alliser and Olly, mutiny against Jon, stabbing him and then leaving him to die.

Cast

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Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister)
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen)
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister)
Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell)
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark)
Jonathan Pryce (The High Sparrow)
Alexander Siddig (Doran Martell)

Main cast

Guest cast

The recurring actors listed here are those who appear in season 5. They are listed in credit order by the region in which they first appear.

Production

Crew

The writing staff for the fifth season includes executive producers and showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, producer Bryan Cogman, and Dave Hill, who was promoted to staff writer this season after previously working as an assistant to Benioff and Weiss.[18] Author George R. R. Martin, who had written one episode for each of the first four seasons, did not write an episode for the fifth season as he was working to finish writing the sixth novel of the series, The Winds of Winter.[19] The directing staff for the fifth season is Michael Slovis (episodes 1 and 2), Mark Mylod (episodes 3 and 4), Jeremy Podeswa (episodes 5 and 6), Miguel Sapochnik (episodes 7 and 8), and David Nutter (episodes 9 and 10). Nutter is the only returning director with the rest being first-time Game of Thrones directors.[20]

Writing

This season features more original material than previous seasons.[21][22] The deviations from Martin's novels are in part attributable to the way the television series has covered most of the novel series' published material and in part to the directors' opinions of the actors' abilities. For example, Sansa Stark arrives at Winterfell to marry Ramsay Bolton in "High Sparrow," a plotline that had been given to a minor character in the novels.[23][24][25] In an interview, show writer David Benioff explains that Sophie Turner's development as an actress was one of the reasons that they decided to give her character more dramatic scenes, saying, "Even if [child actors] come in and do a great audition, it’s so hard to know if they’re going to quite literally grow into the parts. With Sansa and Arya in particular, their storylines have become quite dark. It was such a gamble and the fact that they’ve both become such great wonderful actresses is a bit of a miracle."[26] Bryan Cogman added that it made more sense to give the Winterfell storyline to a proven actress who was already popular with viewers than to bring in a new character.[26]

Other changes include the portrayal of Tommen as old enough to interact with Margaery and the Faith Militant as an adult, the speeding up or streamlining of several subplots, and the introduction of fewer new characters. According to Benioff and Weiss, "We felt we'd capsize the show if we put in every single character from the books."[27] Critics particularly liked the decision to have Tyrion actually meet Daenerys at the end of "The Gift," which has yet to happen as of A Dance with Dragons.[28][29] David Benioff cited the television adaptation's faster pace as part of the rationale behind this decision.[30]

Filming

The Alcázar of Seville stands in for the Water Gardens of Dorne.

Filming for the fifth season began in July 2014 in Belfast[31] and ended in December 2014.[32] Locations in Northern Ireland included the cliff edge of Binevenagh Mountain.[33]

Some of the scenes that take place in the principality of Dorne were filmed in Spain beginning in October 2014.[34] Locations explored for the production included the Alcázar of Seville and the University of Osuna.[35] On October 14, some scenes were filmed on the Roman bridge of Córdoba.[36] Benioff and Weiss said that season 5 would include flashbacks, which they had previously avoided, and that Córdoba would represent the city of Volantis.[37]

Cersei's "walk of atonement" from A Dance with Dragons was filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in the Stradun street between the Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Sponza Palace[38] in early October 2014. The production reportedly employed a body double for Lena Headey for part of the scene in which Cersei appears naked.[39] Meereen scenes were once again shot in Diocletian's Palace in Split, and on Klis Fortress north of Split.

Casting

The fifth season adds previously recurring actors Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Dean-Charles Chapman (Tommen Baratheon), Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H'ghar) and Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton) to the series' main cast.[40]

In the fifth season, the region of Dorne is introduced as a location. Alexander Siddig joins the cast as Doran Martell, the ruling Prince of Dorne, and elder brother of Oberyn Martell,[41] while his son Trystane Martell is portrayed by Toby Sebastian. The role of Cersei's daughter Myrcella Baratheon, who is Doran's ward and betrothed to Trystane is played by Nell Tiger Free.[41] The role was portrayed by Aimee Richardson in the first two seasons.[41] DeObia Oparei portrays Areo Hotah, the captain of the Dornish palace guard.[41] The three eldest bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell (collectively known as the "Sand Snakes") are portrayed by Keisha Castle-Hughes (Obara Sand), Jessica Henwick (Nymeria Sand), and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (Tyene Sand).[41]

In King's Landing, Jonathan Pryce joins the cast as the High Sparrow, the leader of the militant faithful in King’s Landing,[41] while Hannah Waddingham portrays Septa Unella, one of the "Most Devout", the ruling council of the Faith of the Seven.[42] Nell Williams was cast as a young Cersei Lannister seen in flashbacks,[43] while Jodhi May was cast as Maggy the Frog, a fortune-teller.[44]

Across the Narrow Sea, Enzo Cilenti joins as Yezzan, a Yunkish nobleman and slave trader,[41] while Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje was cast as Malko, a slaver, who does not appear in the novels.[45] At Castle Black and beyond the Wall, new cast members include Michael Condron as Bowen Marsh, First Steward of the Night's Watch.[46] J. J. Murphy, who was cast as Night's Watch officer Denys Mallister, died in August 2014 shortly after filming his first scenes; his role was not recast.[47] One role that was recast for season 5 was Ross O'Hennessy as the Lord of Bones. O'Hennessy replaces Edward Dogliani who was last seen in the season 3 premiere "Valar Dohaeris".[48] Charles Dance, whose character died in the previous season, returned for one episode to portray Tywin Lannister's corpse.[49] Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Bran Stark), Kristian Nairn (Hodor) and Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed) are absent this season because their part in the story has reached the end of A Dance with Dragons.[50][51]

Promotion

A half-hour documentary, Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life, aired on HBO on February 8, 2015. It covered one day of production of season 5 on three sets in Belfast, Dubrovnik and Osuna from the viewpoint of key crew members.[52] The first official trailer for season 5 was released on January 30, 2015,[53] and the season's second trailer was released on March 9, 2015.[54] The world premiere of the first episode of the fifth season was held at the Tower of London on March 18, 2015.[55]

Music

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The soundtrack for the season was released digitally on June 9, 2015, and on CD on July 17, 2015.[56]

Leaks

On April 11, prior to the airing of the season's first episode, screener copies of the first four episodes were leaked to several file-sharing sites.[57] According to TorrentFreak, 18 million different IP addresses downloaded the leaked episodes, totaling 32 million downloads during the first week.[58]

Reception

Critical reception

On Metacritic, the season has a score of 91 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[59] On Rotten Tomatoes, the fifth season has a 95% approval rating from 56 critics with an average rating of 8.6 out of 10.[60] One notable exception is the sixth episode, "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken", which was heavily criticized due to the showrunners' decision to have a well-liked character suffer a sexual assault.[61] It received a rating of 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, lower than any previous episode of the show.[62] The eighth episode, "Hardhome", received significant praise and was immediately regarded as one of the best episodes in the series.[63] According to Business Insider, "Despite the attacks, Game of Thrones remains a steady hit."[64]

Season 5 featured more significant changes from the novels. Some of the changes were more well-received than others (the sexual assault scene was heavily criticized and caused great controversy).[65] The various plotlines for the season also differed significantly in reception. The Dornish subplot received an overwhelmingly negative reception.[66] In particular, the hyped Sand Snakes were maligned by critics and fans alike, as many found them cheesy and unlikeable.[67] In contrast, Tyrion's storyline was highly praised. Many fans felt that his subplot progressed overly slowly in the novels, and his meeting with Daenerys was particularly lauded.[68]

Game of Thrones (season 5): Critical reception by episode

Ratings

Game of Thrones: Viewers per episode (millions)
Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Ep. 5 Ep. 6 Ep. 7 Ep. 8 Ep. 9 Ep. 10 Average
Season 1 2.22 2.20 2.44 2.45 2.58 2.44 2.40 2.72 2.66 3.04 2.52[69]
Season 2 3.86 3.76 3.77 3.65 3.90 3.88 3.69 3.86 3.38 4.20 3.80[69]
Season 3 4.37 4.27 4.72 4.87 5.35 5.50 4.84 5.13 5.22 5.39 4.97[70]
Season 4 6.64 6.31 6.59 6.95 7.16 6.40 7.20 7.17 6.95 7.09 6.84[71]
Season 5 8.00 6.81 6.71 6.82 6.56 6.24 5.40 7.01 7.14 8.11 6.88[72]
Season 6 7.94 7.29 7.28 7.82 7.89 6.71 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

Business Insider noted a significant difference in the ratings between this season and previous seasons. The typical pattern involves "Solid premiere viewings followed by a slow but steady gain of momentum through to the finale. Historically, the finale episodes of each season have beaten the premiere for total number of viewers". However, this season showed a significant decline from 8 million viewers at the premiere to 5.4 million at the seventh episode, "The Gift". Business Insider cites two likely reasons for the lower ratings: backlash over the rape scene in "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken", one of many deviations from the novels throughout the season that "have upset fans," and increased online streaming through HBO Now. It also acknowledged a possible effect of the first four episodes leaking online before the season premiere and the decision to air on Memorial Day weekend in the United States (a weekend that had been skipped in previous seasons). Business Insider reached out to HBO for comment, HBO responded that it is seeing an increase in overall viewer numbers this season taking into account streaming services, which are not included in Nielsen ratings.[61][73] The dip in ratings did not extend to the eighth and ninth episodes, "Hardhome," and "The Dance of Dragons", which were both seen by over 7 million viewers.[64] The season finale, "Mother's Mercy" was seen by 8.11 million people, setting a new record and making it the most watched episode of the series.[17]

Accolades

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For the 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards, the series was nominated for Best Drama Series.[74] For the 31st TCA Awards, the series was nominated for Program of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Drama.[75] For the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received 24 nominations, the most of any series. It won 12 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Peter Dinklage for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for "Mother's Mercy", and David Nutter for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for "Mother's Mercy".[7] Nominations included Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke both for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Diana Rigg for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and Jeremy Podeswa for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken".[76]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2015 AFI Awards AFI TV Award Game of Thrones Won [77]
5th Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated [74]
Most Bingeworthy Show Game of Thrones Nominated
31st TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in Drama Game of Thrones Nominated [75]
Program of the Year Game of Thrones Nominated
Artios Awards Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Series Drama Nina Gold Won [78]
EWwy Award Best Supporting Actress, Drama Maisie Williams Nominated [79]
Sophie Turner Nominated
67th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series David Nutter for "Mother's Mercy" Won [80]
Jeremy Podeswa for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for "Mother's Mercy" Won
Outstanding Drama Series Game of Thrones Won
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen Nominated
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister Nominated
67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series Nina Gold, Robert Sterne, and Carla Stronge Won [80]
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series Fabian Wagner for "Hardhome" Nominated
Anette Haellmigk for "Sons of the Harpy" Nominated
Rob McLachlan for "The Dance of Dragons" Nominated
Greg Middleton for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" Nominated
Outstanding Costumes for a Fantasy Series Michele Clapton, Sheena Wichary, Nina Ayres, Alex Fordham for "The Dance of Dragons" Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series Kevin Alexander, Candice Banks, Rosalia Culora, Gary Machin, Laura Pollock, Nicola Mount for Mother's Mercy Nominated
Outstanding Make-up for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) Jane Walker and Nicola Matthews for "Mother's Mercy" Won
Outstanding Production Design for a Fantasy Program Deborah Riley, Paul Ghirardani, Rob Cameron for "High Sparrow", "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken", and "Hardhome" Won
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series Jane Walker, Barrie Gower, and Sarah Gower for "Hardhome" Nominated
Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama series Tim Porter for "Hardhome" Nominated
Katie Weiland for "The Dance of Dragons" Won
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series Tim Kimmel, Paula Fairfield, Bradley C. Katona, Peter Bercovitch, David Klotz, Jeffrey Wilhoit, Dylan T. Wilhoit for "Hardhome" Won
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Series Ronan Hill, Richard Dyer, Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters for "Hardhome" Won
Outstanding Special Visual Effects Steve Kullback, Joe Bauer, Adam Chazen, Jabbar Raisani, Eric Carney, Stuart Brisdon, Derek Spears, James Kinnings, Matthew Rouleau for "The Dance of Dragons" Won
Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Series Rowley Irlam Won
E! Online Best. Ever. TV. Awards Outstanding Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated [81]
Online Film & Television Association Award Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Peter Dinklage Nominated [82]
Alfie Allen Nominated
Kit Harington Nominated
Best Ensemble In a Drama Series The cast of Game of Thrones Nominated
Best Supporting Actress In a Drama Series Emilia Clarke Nominated
Lena Headey Nominated
Best Guest Actor In a Drama Series Jonathan Pryce Won
Best Guest Actress In a Drama Series Diana Rigg Nominated
Tara Fitzgerald Nominated
Best Direction In a Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
Best Writing In a Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
Best Music In a Series Ramin Djawadi Won
Best Editing In a Series Game of Thrones Nominated
Best Cinematography In a Series Game of Thrones Won
Best Production Design In a Series Game of Thrones Won
Best Costume Design In a Series Game of Thrones Won
Best Makeup/Hairstyling In a Series Game of Thrones Won
Best Sound In a Series Game of Thrones Won
Best Visual Effects In a Series Game of Thrones Won
Best Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
Hollywood Post Alliance Outstanding Sound Tim Kimmel, Paula Fairfield, Bradley Katona, Paul Bercovitch, Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters for "Hardhome" Nominated [83]
Outstanding Color Grading Joe Finley for "Hardhome" Nominated
Outstanding Editing Tim Porter for "Hardhome" Nominated
Outstanding Visual Effects Joe Bauer, Steve Kullback, Derek Spears, Eric Carney, Jabbar Raisani for "The Dance of Dragons" Won
20th Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Peter Dinklage Nominated [84]
Best Television Series – Genre Game of Thrones Nominated
IGN Awards Best TV Series Game of Thrones Nominated [85]
Best TV Episode "Hardhome" Won
Best TV Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated
Best TV Villain Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton Nominated
2016 Guinness World Records Largest TV drama simulcast Game of Thrones Won [86]
42nd People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Show Game of Thrones Nominated [87]
Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show Game of Thrones Nominated
Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress Emilia Clarke Nominated
Shorty Awards Favorite TV Show Game of Thrones Nominated [88]
[89]
GIF of the Year Game of Thrones Come At Me Bro Nominated
Empire Awards Best TV Series Game of Thrones Nominated [90]
Art Directors Guild Awards 2015 One-Hour Single Camera Fantasy Television Series Deborah Riley for "High Sparrow", "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" and "Hardhome" Won [91]
Screenwriters Choice Awards Best Television Drama Game of Thrones Won [92]
Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards Best Period and/or Character Makeup – Television Jane Walker Won [93]
Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling – Television Kevin Alexander, Candice Banks Won
Webby Award Best Overall Social Presence Game of Thrones Won [94]
Cinema Audio Society Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing - Television Series – One Hour Ronan Hill, Richard Dyer, Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters, Brett Voss for "Hardhome" Won [95]
American Cinema Editors Awards 2016 Best Edited One-Hour Series For Non-Commercial Television Katie Weiland for "The Dance of Dragons" Nominated [96]
Tim Porter for "Hardhome" Nominated
Costume Designers Guild Awards Outstanding Period/Fantasy Television Series Michele Clapton for Game of Thrones Won [97]
68th Directors Guild of America Awards Dramatic Series David Nutter for "Mother’s Mercy" Won [98]
American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series Fabian Wagner for "Hardhome" Nominated [99]
73rd Golden Globe Awards Best Television Series – Drama Game of Thrones Nominated [100]
13th Irish Film & Television Awards Best Television Drama Game of Thrones Nominated [101]
Actor in a Supporting Role – Television Liam Cunningham Nominated
21st National Television Awards Best International Show Game of Thrones Nominated [102]
Producers Guild of America Awards 2015 "Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama" David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Bernadette Caulfield, Frank Doelger, Carolyn Strauss, Bryan Cogman, Lisa McAtackney, Chris Newman, Greg Spence Won [103]
42nd Saturn Awards Best Fantasy Television Series Game of Thrones Pending [104]
Best Supporting Actor on Television Kit Harington Pending
Best Supporting Actress on Television Lena Headey Pending
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series Maisie Williams Pending
Brenock O'Connor Pending
22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Drama Series Boian Anev, Richard Bradshaw, Jonathan Cohen, Christopher Cox, Jacob Cox, Matt Crook, Rob DeGroot, Levan Doran, Clint Elvy, James Embree, Bradley Farmer, Richard Hansen, Bobby Holland-Hanton, Radoslav Ignatov, Borislav Iliev, Rowley Irlam, Erol Ismail, Milen Kaleychev, Paul Lowe, Jonathan McBride, Sian Milne, David Newton, Radoslav Parvanov, Ian Pead, Jan Petrina, Rashid Phoenix, Andy Pilgrim, Dominic Preece, Marc Redmond, Paul Shapcott, Ryan Stuart, Pablo Verdejo, Calvin Warrington-Heasman, Annabel E. Wood, Danko Yordanov, and Lewis Young Won [105]
Outstanding Performance by An Ensemble in a Drama Series Alfie Allen, Ian Beattie, John Bradley, Gwendoline Christie, Emilia Clarke, Michael Condron, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Ben Crompton, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Dillane, Peter Dinklage, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tara Fitzgerald, Jerome Flynn, Brian Fortune, Joel Fry, Aiden Gillen, Ian Glen, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Michiel Huisman, Brenock O'Conner, Daniel Portman, Iwan Rheon, Owen Tealem Sophie Turner, Carcie Van Houten, Maisie Williams and Tom Wlaschiha Nominated
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Peter Dinklage Nominated
Golden Reel Awards Best Sound Editing in Television, Short Form: FX/Foley Tim Kimmel for "Hardhome" Won [106]
Best Sound Editing in Television, Short Form: Dialogue / ADR Tim Kimmel for "Hardhome" Won
Best Sound Editing in Television, Short Form: Music David Klotz for "Hardhome" Nominated
USC Scripter Award Best Adapted Screenplay David Benioff and D.B. Weiss for "Hardhome" Nominated [107]
Visual Effects Society Awards 2015 Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode Joe Bauer, Steve Kullback, Eric Carney, Derek Spears, Stuart Brisdon for "The Dance of Dragons" Won [108]
Outstanding Animated Performance in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project Florian Friedmann, Jonathan Symmonds, Sven Skoczylas, Sebastian Lauer' for "Mother's Mercy" - Wounded Drogon Nominated
James Kinnings, Michael Holzl, Joseph Hoback, Matt Derksen for "Dance of Dragons" - Drogon Arena Rescue Nominated
Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project Dominic Piche, Christine Leclerc, Patrice Poissant, Thomas Montminy-Brodeur for "City of Volantis" Won
Rajeev B R., Loganathan Perumal, Ramesh Shankers, Anders Ericson for "Drogon Arena" Nominated
Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project David Ramos, Antonio Lado, Piotr Weiss, Félix Bergés for "Hardhome" Won
Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Episode Eduardo Díaz, Guillermo Orbe, Oscar Perea, Inmaculada Nadela for "Hardhome" Won
Dan Breckwoldt, Martin Furman, Sophie Marfleet, Eric Andrusyszyn for "Drogon Arena" Nominated
Travis Nobles, Mark Spindler, Max Riess, Nadja Ding for "Drogon Lair" Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards 2015 Episodic Drama David Benioff and D.B. Weiss for "Mother's Mercy" Nominated [109]
Television Drama Series David Benioff, Bryan Cogman, Dave Hill, D.B. Weiss Nominated

Release

Broadcast

The season was simulcast to 170 countries by HBO and its broadcast partners. In some countries, it aired the day after its first release.[110][111][112] Sky Atlantic, the network serving the United Kingdom and Ireland, aired the premiere the day after HBO, but joined the simulcast for the rest of the season.[113]

Home media

The season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 15, 2016, in region 1 and March 14, 2016, in region 2.[114][115]

References

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External links