‘Game of Thrones’ recap: An epic season finale full of fire and blood

The brutal “game” of ruling the Seven Kingdoms just became more cutthroat.

For ruthless Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) sits on the Iron Throne -- after slaughtering most of her enemies at King’s Landing -- as HBO’s “Game of Thrones” concludes its sixth season.

“The Winds of Winter” (Episode 60) opens with the trial of Loras Tyrell (Finn Jones), who freely admits to “crimes” such as depravity, dishonesty and arrogance.

The fanatical High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce) could impose the death sentence, but Loras is spared after devoting himself to the Faith of the Seven and its harsh life of poverty.

Next up on the docket is Cersei, who’s rightfully accused of murder, incest and other sins. But she refuses to leave her residence at the Red Keep, even though she could be convicted in absentia.

“Cersei understands the consequences of her actions and she’s absent anyway,” her daughter-in-law Queen Margaery (Natalie Dormer) urgently warns the High Sparrow. “Which means she does not intend to suffer those consequences. The trial can wait. We all need to leave!”

But it’s too late for Margaery, her brother Loras, the High Sparrow and everyone else at the trial. Because green “wildfire” engulfs the building while Cersei watches with a smug smile.

Soon King Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman), Cersei’s last surviving child, learns the fate of his bride Margaery. Overcome with despair, Tommen commits suicide.

Now Cersei ascends the Iron Throne as her twin brother/lover Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) grimly looks on. Yes, Cersei finally rules the Seven Kingdoms, but her rise to power comes at a terrible price.

That reign may be short-lived, however, because Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) crosses the Narrow Sea with a fleet of ships and her three fearsome dragons.

Sailing with Dany are fierce Yara Greyjoy (Gemma Whelan), her brother Theon (Alfie Allen), Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson) and his Unsullied troops, plus an army of Dothraki horsemen.

At Dany’s side is just-named Hand of the Queen Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), who’s eager to topple his older sister, Cersei. And should Dany prevail, Tyrion has the political smarts to help govern King’s Landing.

Also targeting House Lannister is Lady Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg), vowing revenge and justice for the deaths of her grandchildren, Margaery and Loras.

Olenna’s unlikely partners are Dorne’s ruler, Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma), and her lethal daughters Obara (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Nymeria (Jessica Henwick) and Tyene (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers).

Up north, cunning Lord Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish (Aidan Gillen) also lusts for the Iron Throne. And he envisions Lady Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) by his side.

Sansa spurns Littlefinger’s advances, however. Instead, she grows closer to her relative Jon Snow (Kit Harington), who’s proclaimed King in the North after recapturing Winterfell Castle.

Jon and Sansa think they share the same father, the late Ned Stark (Sean Bean). But that’s not the case.

As revealed in a vision experienced by Sansa’s brother Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), Jon’s mother is Ned’s younger sister Lyanna (Aisling Francioso).

And Jon’s father? A common theory points to an unseen character, Dany’s deceased older brother Prince Rhaegar. If that’s true, Jon has Stark and Targaryen blood in his veins.

Finally, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) avenges the murders of her family members at the infamous “Red Wedding” overseen by Lord Walder Frey (David Bradley). Arya kills Frey’s two sons and serves them for dinner. Then she pulls a knife on Frey.

“The last thing you’re ever going to see is a Stark smiling down at you as you die,” Arya says before slitting Frey’s throat.

It’s a fitting end for Frey. But did Arya enjoy that assassination a bit too much?

MORE:

Women take control in ‘Game of Thrones’ season finale

‘Game of Thrones’ recap: It’s Jon vs. Ramsay in epic battle to the death

‘Game of Thrones’ star Emilia Clarke stands ready to rule the world — or at least Westeros

With ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ and ‘Game of Thrones,’ Sophie Turner is coming into her own