Game of Thrones spoilers are slowly emerging with each new episode, and anybody who has watched the preview for the upcoming Monday 16 Game of Thrones episode, “Book of the Stranger,” will know that a key character is set to return to the action. Many have been wondering where the cunning Petyr Baelish, or Littlefinger as he is better known, has been for the last three episodes, but we will soon get all of these answers as revealed in an Entertainment Weekly interview with Aidan Gillen .
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In Season 5 of Game of Thrones , fans were horrified when Littlefinger married Sansa Stark off to the sadistic Ramsey Bolton for political gain. As revealed at the beginning of the promo for next week’s episode, it appears that Littlefinger is concerned for Sansa’s well-being and feels remorse for his actions. He is seen having a conversation with Robin Arryn, where he claims that she will not be safe with the Bolton’s after her. Preceding this, we see Sansa arrive with Brienne of Tarth and Podrick Payne at what appears to be Castle Black (where Jon Snow has just left, dashing many fans’ hopes of a Stark family reunion.)
Game of Thrones spoilers were kept to a minimum prior to the highly anticipated season opener, but slowly there have been a few spoilers emerging, largely through interviews with the cast. In the interview with Entertainment Weekly , Gillen gives us a greater insight into what we can expect from his character’s return to the narrative. While spoilers pertaining to the plot are kept under wraps, Gillen (speaking as Littlefinger due to the interview taking place between takes) gives greater insight into how his character feels after his plan resulted in the physical and psychological torture of Sansa in Season 5 of Game of Thrones .
“For me, this time out, there’s a level of atonement in relation to Sansa and my misjudgment of Ramsay Bolton. A lot of what I’m up to is atonement and really trying to align myself the right people – though, I guess, I’m always doing that! I left Sansa married to a psychopath. It’s probably the one time we’ve seen Littlefinger slip up. He really didn’t know about him. He should have.”
Game of Thrones spoilers such as this may seem minor, but the revelation seems to suggest that this season could see Littlefinger undertake a character arc, something that has not been seen so far with his character. As history has shown with Jaimie Lannister’s huge arc, this can shape both the narrative and the audience’s perception of a character.
This hint at a character arc is evident through the concern that Littlefinger shows in the Game of Thrones Season 6 episode four promo, but it is also something that Gillen touched on in the interview when questioned about how his character did not know about the depths of Ramsey’s cruelty.
“In a way, this shows a new side of him, a faltering, and I do want to make amends. I like Sansa, you know? So I’m trying to find something humane and gentle and maybe even warm in the midst of my treachery and calculation – which is pathological.”
There have been few Game of Thrones characters as untrustworthy as Littlefinger over the course of the show, so it seems likely that the other characters (and the audience) will be wary of this new side of his character once he returns to the fold. This includes Sansa, who now appears to be (somewhat) safe under the watchful eye of fan-favorite Brienne as they appear to arrive at Castle Black.
We thoroughly break down the trailer for the next #GameofThrones ep, “Book of the Stranger.” https://t.co/0kJhx6hDiH pic.twitter.com/1AIe6C4DKH
— Winter is Coming (@WiCnet) May 9, 2016
However, the International Business Times reports that Castle Black could not be as safe, as it seems as Ramsey previously considered attacking the castle . In a trailer for Season 6 of Game of Thrones , a major battle between the Free Folk and the Bolton army took place. It has been speculated that Jon Snow could lead the Free Folk in this battle, and supporting forces from Littlefinger and the Vale could give them the edge over House Bolton.
Game of Thrones spoilers may be harder to come by this season and not as major as before, but plenty can still be deduced from the promotional trailers released before the upcoming episode. In addition to the remorseful return of Littlefinger, Monday’s Game of Thrones episode, “Book of the People,” sees Jorah and Daario figure out where Daenerys has been taken while the people of Meereen are asking when she will return.
With Game of Thrones spoilers kept to a minimum and only minor ones being revealed by the cast from time to time, it has kept audiences on their toes and speculation has soared. With Littlefinger’s return imminent, the Game of Thrones fanbase will likely be split with some believing his remorse, and others speculating that he has another devious and self-serving trick up his sleeve.
[Photo by Jordan Strauss/AP Images]