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Game of Thrones season 6 director dishes on Brienne and Tormund’s nascent romance

'It’s cool because they’re two characters who are sort of expressly cut off from emotions'

Christopher Hooton
Thursday 19 May 2016 08:26 BST
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(HBO)

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In spite of all the murder and arson in the last episode of Game of Thrones season 6 - ‘Book of the Stranger’ - it was the hint of a romance between Brienne of Tarth and Tormund Giantsbane that got fans excited.

It didn’t go further than a glance, presumably saved for later episodes, but was undeniably there.

“Honestly, I’m surprised anyone even noticed,” episode director Dan Sackheim told Tech Insider. “I mean, it was meant to be a little grace note, and the fact that it’s blown up with the buzz it has on the internet and on the blogosphere is kind of shocking to me.”

It’s a somewhat unlikely romance (I keep saying romance, but maybe they’ll just bang and go their separate ways, this is Game of Thrones after all) given Brienne is a noble knight and heir of House Tarth and Torment is, well, a wildling.

“It’s cool because they’re two characters who are sort of expressly cut off from emotions,” he said.

“Certainly [Brienne] is. She’s not particularly forthcoming or feminine. She’s all about her charge, her duty, her responsibility, and you hardly ever get to see her as person.

“Tormund, you know, he’s a f*cking wildling! The notion of these two unlikely people coming together, I think it’s very cool.”

Fans were so distracted by the moment on Sunday however, that they may have missed a hint at a romance between two other key characters.

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