Game of Thrones recap: Is Jon Snow back?

So now we know. Supposedly. The fate of Jon Snow was revealed in the second episode of Game of Throne's sixth season on Monday afternoon New Zealand time. Though that was far from all that happened. Unfortunately, events elsewhere meant no screen time for either Kiwi actor, Keisha Castle-Hughes and Joe Naufahu.

OK, Jon Snow is breathing. Well, he had one inhalation and then it cut to the credits. Hopefully, he will exhale in the next episode. As everyone assumes he's alone and wanders off, something unexpected happens. It's Melisandre who brings him back, much to everyone's shock.

Melisandre, aka the Red Woman, has a red hot go at bringing Jon Snow back to life.

Mance Rayder is back at Castle Black.

Apparently she'd never done a resurrection before but there's more to her than meets the eye, regardless of whether she's wearing that necklace or not. By the way, Alliser Thorne and his merry band of traitors have been overwhelmed, as Edd returns with the Wildlings and easily recaptures Castle Black. They didn't even need Jon Snow. So what exactly is he back for?

"I am Lord Bolton"

In Winterfell, things have seriously escalated. Lady Walda gives birth to a boy, one which would eclipse Ramsay Snow as heir to his father's throne. You can feel the tension in the air as the two exchange the most awkward father-son pleasantries possible. Seconds later, we find out why. Ramsay kills his father Roose, then leads Lady Walda and the baby to the kennels. Is Ramsay psycho enough to kill a newborn? Yes. Yes he is. Will there again be calls that Game of Thrones has gone too far? Probably. Ramsay is now the undisputed ruler in the north. Not good news for anybody. Including Jon Snow, who Ramsay had earlier suggested killing if Sansa was at Castle Black. Please not again. Speaking of Sansa and friends, they don't achieve much in this episode, but it is confirmed they're headed for Castle Black. But not with Theon Greyjoy (aka Reek). He's pretty down himself for all the horrible things he did to Sansa's family, as he should be, and wants to go back to the Iron Islands. Where things have also escalated. King Balon Greyjoy is now dead. Thrown from a bridge by, according to the internet, his brother Euron, thought to be long dead. He's looking very young though and proclaims himself God. He then presumably disappears as nobody has any idea how Balon died at the funeral. Very intriguing. How will Theon fit in there if he goes back? Alfie Allen has plenty of screen time in this season's promotion so it appears he's got a big part to play. One more thing from the North. Bran's back. As we saw from the photos, he's all grown up. He appears to be in training with the three-eyed raven. He's having some serious Harry Potter-pensive-style flashbacks to a much happier Winterfell, where we see his father Ned, Uncle Benjen and Auntie Lyanna, but most importantly, Hodor can talk! And he's called, for some reason, Willis. In the present day, Hodor can still only say his name and Bran is still paralysed. This scene doesn't reveal much about what will happen with Bran, but it's good to have him back, after a season-long absence.

Family ties

In Kings Landing, it's another episode of more talk than action. This doesn't apply to the Mountain, who appears to be wandering the capital randomly murdering peasants who disrespect his master, Cercei Lannister. At least he's having fun. Cercei and Tommen make up after the young king doesn't allow her to see Myrcella's body. For some reason the adolescent seems stressed about having to run just seven kingdoms. Meanwhile, Jamie and the High Sparrow have a bit of an argument about who's in charge. Jaime looks ready to slay the old man, when the Faith Militant appear out of nowhere. The High Sparrow claims his followers are all poor and powerless, but together they can overthrow an empire. He's like a demented Bernie Sanders. Jaime clearly isn't feeling the Bern and backs off for now. The tensions in that city are sure to explode soon.

"Don't eat the help"

Across the narrow sea, Tyrion fancies himself as a dragon tamer. Neither locked-up beast is eating and Tyrion attempts to get on their good side by revealing how much he wanted a dragon as a boy. Was this the only reason Tyrion came to Esteros, to fulfil his childhood dream? A childhood dream that could overthrow an empire, mind you. My animal-loving side always feels so sorry for those dragons, all locked up down there. Finally, we briefly check in on Arya in Bravoos. She gets beaten up and taunted by that girl and Jaqen H'ghar but there's much expectation for her to do something important. It looks like she's going to be stuck as a sub-plot forever. Although it does appear her days as a beggar are over. It's relentless action in just the second episode of the season. For the past two years, the show has been accused of dawdling on a plot on stretching it too thin before anything of spectacular worth actually happens. But, no one can't say the same thing about this season. Though Jon Snow's return was predictable and expected, it would still be intriguing to see what journey awaits the resurrected one. Hopefully the writers will not disappoint and bring on more twist and action galore next week.