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COMMENT
After five years and six seasons, Game of Thrones ladies are kicking ass in magnificent and major ways.
The penultimate episode of season six, The Battle of Bastards, was as much about the horrifying realities of war as it was the story of two women's triumphant wins in battle. (Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you haven't watched the episode.)
Early on in the episode, Daenerys Targaryen calmly showed three slave masters, attacking the city she had freed, how their smug bigotry could be incinerated by three fire-breathing dragons.
Riding the biggest one as if she was piloting a lear jet, Daenerys' hair was barely ruffled as the dragon fire-bombed a ship, the scaly one's flames prompted after she whispered "Dracarys" in its ear.
It was thrilling, long-awaited evidence of what Dany could do with her dragons rather than just be saved by them in tricky moments.
At the show's climax we had an even greater victory.
Sansa, clear-eyed and calm, watched her sinister husband and the most-hated-character-on television, Ramsay Bolton, being eaten alive by starving dogs.
Today was grim. The ladies of #GameOfThrones really pulled it out tonight. And for that, I thank them.— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) June 20, 2016
“Your words will disappear. Your house will disappear. Your name will disappear. All memory of you will disappear.” #GameofThrones— Eugenio G. Martínez (@puzkas) June 20, 2016
Sansa owned her story after being the rag doll of hideous and powerful men and women. She had secured victory at the battle against Ramsay Bolton by her alliance with Petyr Baelish.
And in watching, solo, the greatest nightmare of her life meet a torturous demise at her hand - after five years of general torment - it was justice for Sansa.(It also sated our bloodlust as viewers, having watched outraged by Ramsay's heinous acts over three seasons.)
who let the dogs out? #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/cogZEwk2CW— Daenerys Targaryen (@_Khaleesi) June 20, 2016
It also went some way to making up for the loss of Rickon Stark (skewered by Ramsay's arrow just as Jon Snow was about to save him), although admittedly the youngest Lord Stark barely featured in the show.
The rise of the heroine in Sansa's big moment underlines the arc of GoT since it first hit the screens in 2011. Back then one of its first points of interest was the story's strong female characters; Catelyn Tully, Cersei Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen.
There were a lot of other female characters but they were often naked ones jiggling their bits about on top of all the strong male characters.
Occasionally their storyline gravitated to something more interesting - Ros and Shae, for instance - but generally they were walking boobs, however much the depiction was true to the show's time period.
Over time, Game of Thrones attracted criticism for using nudity like other shows use pot plants, ie as set decoration.
Don't forget Yara and her bid to become the Iron Islands' first Queen. Photo: HBO
Some questioned whether Ramsay's rape of Sansa needed such a graphic depiction.
Watching Daenerys suffering at the hands of her brother and new husband Khal Drogo, before the latter's love story bloomed, was hard work.
Cersei's walk of shame, whatever the crimes of the former Queen, was extraordinary TV and a cruel level of punishment for a drama series.
Five years later the females are giving it to the patriarchy.
Things may not be going so well for Cersei but, in her stead, the female line-up has been emboldened by Arya Stark's discovery of her inner strengths and the gloriously badass Lady Lyanna Mormont, a 10-year-old child with the mind and mouth or a gnarly general of war.
Our only regret is that Lady Lyanna Mormont didn't see more of the action on screen. Photo: HBO
If there was one thing wrong with episode nine it was the minimal plot given to Lyanna on the battlefield.
In one way or another Gloria Steinem would be proud of Daenerys, Sansa and Arya Stark, Yara Greyjoy, Brienne of Tarth, Margaery Tyrell, Lyanna, Lady Olenna, Melisandre, Ygritte, Shae, Osha, Shireen Baratheon, and Meera Reed.
Ok ladies, now let's get in formation #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/CAiGZbGgEQ— Joe Readman (@JoeReadman) June 20, 2016
Who pauses to flirt while negotiating plans for world domination?
Yara Greyjoy, that's who. #GameOfThrones— Laurie Livingstone (@theLLivingstone) June 20, 2016
You forgot the Sand Sisters! RT @iamjellykiss: QUEENS ARE COMING. #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/auLEygYKAu— saul goodman (@lionofbedstuy) June 20, 2016
Cersei, Ellaria Sand, the Waif and Ramsay's dog-smelling bit on the side, Myranda's brand of self-empowerment is marred by their cut-throat extinguishing of all who get in their way, but you've got to respect their depth of character.
So long live GoT's rebel chicks.
Gender equality is a long way off in Westeros but these dragon-flying, hound-releasing sisters are doin' it for themselves.
Even fans agree:
All I'm screaming at the end of #GameofThrones is YAS QUEEN! #ladiesnight— alisonhaislip (@alisonhaislip) June 20, 2016
Absolutely epic! #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/87mDsddsiv— Mike Messina (@mikethefilmguy) June 20, 2016
#GameofThrones tonight got me like pic.twitter.com/1yl44D6Jpf— Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) June 20, 2016
That was the most satisfying GoT episode I've ever watched. Next weeks must be awful ?? #GameofThrones— Lauren Streich (@LaurenStreich) June 20, 2016
Tonight's #GameofThrones was just epic!! pic.twitter.com/kly6WPjKqV— cowboyrob | Madonna (@rmdna) June 20, 2016
Just finished #GameOfThrones. At least the best episode since the Red Wedding. Maybe best in series history.— Raj Sharan (@Raj_Sharan) June 20, 2016