Glad to see that the R+L=J plot point has been fleshed out as much as it has. I had always thought that it would be Howland Reed who would make the big reveal, and not Bran's greensight. And what Lyanna said to Ned was true: if Robert had known about Jon's true parentage he would have killed the child. That's undoubtedly why Ned was so short with Robert in season 1 when they were talking about Ned's supposed mistress, "Wylla" while they were riding south on the Kings Road. I wonder if this is going to be the extent of the reveals on this front, or if some of Bran's visions may eventually show us both Lyanna and Rhaegar together.
As for Cersei? She's gone full-on Mad King with her actions. For the entire series she has been trying to be like her father, Tywin. She knew that Jaime never could be, and always underestimated Tyrion. She saw Tywin to be ruthless no matter the cost. And I suspect that she saw the Green Trial as her own Red Wedding. But Tywin always seemed to have a goal in mind: the betterment of House Lannister. Cersei's paranoia combined with not being half as smart as she thought she was meant that she could never truly live up to Tywin's example. Tywin was ruthless, but practical, and not beyond making a deal. Not the case at all with Cersei. She just doesn't get that part of it. I think that as soon as Tommen saw what had become of the Sept of Baelor, while being guarded by Ser Gregor, he knew that she was responsible. And that despite his own best efforts to take control of the crown, it might only be a matter of time until Cersei's paranoia would be directed at him. She's a monster. And I think Jaime saw that as soon as he walked into the throne room and watched Qyburn give her the crown. I think seeing the devastation in Kings Landing and that look were the turning point for Jaime Lannister. I think he saw echoes of the Mad King who he killed in an attempt to save Kings Landing during Robert's Rebellion. And come season 7, I could easily see Jaime trying to link up with Tyrion and by extension Danaerys. I can also see the possibility for history repeating itself for Jaime Lannister.
One of the most heart wrenching scenes of the entire episode was between Jon Snow, Davos and Melisandre. And OMG, Liam Cunningham knocked that scene out of the park! I would have cheered him on as he executed Melisandre for burning Shireen Baratheon at the stake. But this seems like one of those moments where Jon Snow has grown. The old Jon Snow would have let Davos take Melisandre's head then and there. But I think he recognizes how murky this world truly is. After his encounter with the Night King at Hardhome, I think Jon Snow knows that he may need the Red Woman again in the true war. And now that Jon has been championed as the King in the North? By none other than that little spitfire, Lyanna Mormont? She's amazing. And she shamed all of those Northern Lords in the biggest way. But now the Starks look like they have some legitimacy in holding the North...much to the chagrin of Littlefinger, who looked very much like someone who had been used. And that's very out of character, since he's the one who is usually doing the using.
I was a little surprised to see that Benjen got Meera and Bran back to the Wall so fast. But it was pretty clear from Benjen's words that the Wall isn't just a great construct of ice. Some form of magic is keeping the White Walkers from getting through the Wall. I have to wonder if it's the same kind of spell that kept the White Walkers from getting into the cave of the Three Eyed Raven. Because once the Night King touched Bran during his vision he was able to get into the cave.
I hope that Sam is able to get his Maester's chains before too long. The Citadel looks incredible, as does the library. And that dangling chandelier (or whatever it was) seemed reminiscent of something that's been in the show open for the whole series. But the Maester who received Sam did seem like a bit of a jackass. Still, when Sam informed the "receptionist" of his being dispatched it was a little funny while being a bit frightening at the same time. The bureaucracy of it all was clearly meant to come across as absurd, but it also highlighted how the Night's Watch is REALLY removed from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms. Jeor Mormont has been dead for some time, as has Maester Aemon, despite the records of the Maesters of the Citadel. And it's easy to see how the real responsibilities of the Watch would seem outlandish and lead to crazy ideas like those that even Tyrion had when he visited the Wall in season 1.